Hi Team,

We’re excited to announce that we will be welcoming ten talented student interns to the University Relations team this summer! They will be joining us starting on Monday, May 19th, which coincides with our upcoming Team Blueprint. We will ensure that the interns are appropriately introduced during this meeting

This year’s cohort brings a diverse range of skills and perspectives, and we’re looking forward to the fresh energy and support they will bring to our various projects. Please make them feel welcome and offer your guidance as they integrate into our team.

More details about the summer internship program, including the interns’ names and their areas of focus, can be found on the dedicated Google Site. Please take some time to review the information there.

We’re confident that this summer will be a valuable experience for both our team and our new interns. Let’s all work together to make them feel like a part of University Relations.

Adria Logan & Stephanie Washington

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000Z3flIAC/view

Team,

It is my pleasure to welcome Olivia Newey to the Northwest team as a Regional Director. She will be cultivating relationships with members of the Notre Dame Family in the Bay Area and Montana. Olivia’s first day will be May 12th.

Olivia came to Notre Dame from England and graduated in 2017 as a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar with a Bachelor’s in Business and a concentration in Political Science. Before joining the University, she ran a marketing agency focused on branding and brand partnerships. Prior to that, she led domestic and international issue-based communications for a UK Government official.

Please join me in welcoming Olivia!

–Shaheen

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000Z3UTIA0/view

Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to share with you that Ellen Kirol will begin serving as the Senior Director of the AAD team beginning Monday, May 5. Ellen’s promotion is a move that has been earned through her tireless work advancing the priorities of the College of Arts & Letters, her strategic partnerships on transformative gifts for the College, and her positive leadership on the AAD team.

Ellen has been a valued member of Development since 2017 after joining the Annual Giving team. Since 2021, she has served as an Academic Advancement Director for the College of Arts & Letters. In this role, Ellen collaborated with Development and academic partners to secure philanthropy for the largest fundraising priorities, including the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, the Franco Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good, and the Sheedy Program for Economy, Enterprise, and Society. She has also enjoyed working closely with the Democracy and Poverty Initiatives in support of the Strategic Framework. Her dedication and collaborative spirit have been evident in the record-breaking fundraising success achieved by the College of Arts & Letters this year.

A 2015 Notre Dame graduate, Ellen brings a strong understanding of and belief in the University’s mission to her work. We are grateful that she will be leading the AAD team. Until we fill the Arts & Letters AAD role, Ellen will be serving in both capacities. I hope you will join me in congratulating Ellen on the Senior Director opportunity.

In Notre Dame,

Michelle

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000YcMDIA0/view

The Internal Engagement Team is excited to share that our UR Blog is getting a fresh new home!

Starting June 1, all blog updates will officially move to our new platform: “News &
Community” in asceND. Get ready for a better way to stay connected with all the great things happening at University Relations! Our new site is more organized, super easy to use, and even a bit more fun – picture this: photos, quick updates, and lots of chances
to celebrate our awesome team!)

Here’s how the transition will work:

• For the month of May, we’ll post every update on BOTH the current blog (ur.nd.edu) and the new News & Community site in asceND.
• At the end of each blog post, you’ll find a link that takes you to the same content on our new site.)
• This “double-posting” in May will give everyone a chance to get familiar with the new platform while still getting updates in the old spot you’re used to.

On June 1, we’ll fully transition — all new updates will only be posted on News & Community through asceND. You’ll still get all the content you love, just in a new, easier-to access place!

Thanks for rolling with us through this transition. If you have any questions, please reach out to Iliana Contreras or James Riley. We’re excited for this next chapter of staying connected and celebrating the amazing people of University Relations!

Show Your Support on Denim Day – April 30th, 2025

Next Wednesday, join us in taking a powerful stand against sexual violence by participating in Denim Day 2025. This globally recognized campaign encourages individuals to wear denim as a visible sign of solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Denim Day is more than just a dress code. It’s a movement sparked by a powerful story of injustice, and it now serves as a unifying call to action to raise awareness and support survivors around the world. By simply wearing denim, you’re helping spark conversations, challenge harmful myths, and show that you stand with survivors.

If you have meetings or professional obligations that day, please be mindful of workplace dress expectations.

I’m thrilled to share that Ashley Van Avermaete will join the Annual Giving team as the newest Associate Regional Director, starting today!

Ashley brings 15 years of experience at Notre Dame. She began her journey in the College of Science, where she spent nine years in roles such as undergraduate research assistant, lab manager, and senior research technician for the Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases. She then transitioned to University Relations, where she’s spent the last six years—first on the Development Administration team and more recently with Friends of Ted and Ned, Cavanaugh Council, and President’s Circle (FTN/CCPC) team.

Throughout her career, Ashley has built meaningful connections across campus and with benefactor families, students, and friends of the University, always sharing the mission and heart of Notre Dame.

While it’s bittersweet for Ashley to leave the amazing FTN/CCPC team, the Annual Giving team is excited to welcome her to this new chapter on the 2nd floor. We’re so lucky to have her—please join me in giving her a warm welcome!

A few fun facts about Ashley:

• She’s on a mission to kayak in all five Great Lakes—only Ontario and Erie to go!

• She adores her dogs: Benny, a 9-year-old miniature schnauzer, and Millie, a 3-year-old Sheepadoodle rescue.

• • Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Natural Science and Mathematics with a minor in Psychology, and an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

• A proud South Bend native, Ashley is a devoted Irish fan—especially when it comes to football, hockey, and both basketball teams. Her favorite part of game days? Seeing campus come alive with blue, green, and gold (and finding the perfect outfit to match the spirit)!

Welcome, Ashley—we’re so glad you’re here!

—Indi

Colleagues,

With joy for Matt Gelchion after tremendous and impactful service to the University in Development, I am writing to share that Matt will be moving to the Enrollment Division to serve as the Executive Director for Enrollment Management. Matt’s last day in Development will be May 2. A plan for his replacement and the AAD team is forthcoming.

Matt has served in a number of roles in Development over the past eight years, including in Storytelling & Engagement and Annual Giving. Since July 1 of last year, Matt has been making his mark as the Senior Director of the Academic Advancement team, recruiting talented new AADs and building a best-in-class team in service to the academic units that they cover and the fundraisers. Prior to his role as Senior Director, Matt served as the AAD for Financial Aid and Student Life where he supported and developed the mental health initiative for Student Affairs and some of the largest gifts to financial aid for the University. It is only fitting that this move takes him to the Division in which he has had much success and that is close to his heart.

A Notre Dame class of 2009 (BA) and class of 2011 (ACE, M Ed) graduate, Matt will continue his service to Our Lady’s University in his new role. I am grateful to Matt for his passion, strategy, and leadership with the AAD team. While he will be missed in our department, I hope that you will join me in congratulating Matt on this opportunity. I wish Matt and his beautiful family – Brittany, Emma Joy, and baby Gelchion – the best in this next chapter.

In Notre Dame,
Michelle

Dear Team,

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Amanda McKee’s mother, Rebecca J. (Derda) McKee, on April 12, 2025. Let us come together to extend our condolences to Amanda and her family, and continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held from 4:00pm – 8:00pm with recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Rd., South Bend, IN 46635. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 219 S. State St., Niles, MI 49120. Entombment will immediately follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN.

To read the full obituary, please click here.