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