Monica Macek '95
Returning Home to Build for the Future
When Monica Macek ’95 left her home on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to attend Notre Dame, she didn’t think she’d be going back.
Stories by Amanda Pilarski
Adam Farchone '16, '18 M.Ed.
Empowering All Students to Dream Big
Adam Farchone '16 has continued his work in education as a volunteer for Mind Matters Bay Area, a nonprofit devoted to guiding and preparing low-income, high-achieving students to attend selective colleges.
Elizabeth Wood '14
Fighting to Help Marginalized Women & Youth Gain Legal Status in the United States
As an immigration lawyer, Elizabeth Wood ’14 witnesses daily the reasons why people leave their homes and migrate to the United States.
Garrett Blad '15
Returning Home to Ignite Positive Change
Garret Blad ’15, though offered other opportunities across the world to fight climate change and engage in activism, chose to return to his home state of Indiana to ignite positive change in the community that raised him.
Stephen Ziegler '20 MNA
Empowering the Local Neighborhood
Ziegler’s approach to working with the South Bend community remains in line with the sustainable development principles he learned about during his Notre Dame MNA.
Kiley Adams '17
Ensuring Equitable Access to Outdoor Spaces
In the same way that those with disabilities deserve equitable access to education, housing, and transportation, Adams believes that having access to outdoor, adaptive recreation is no different.
Geraldine Mukumbi '16
Striving to Make Literature More Accessible to Young People
Geraldine Mukumbi ’16 left her native Zimbabwe to come to Notre Dame in search of a kind of academic freedom. Still entertaining aspirations of a “practical” future, the Hesburgh-Yusko scholar entered as a finance major. But her heart was always with the arts.
Emily Rupchock '20EMNA
Alumna Embraces Motherhood and Connection with Chosen Family
Working with under-resourced children and families has brought Emily Rupchock EMNA ’20 a lot of satisfaction over the years, but that wasn’t the only outcome. Her work with these communities brought another beautiful — if unexpected — gift: a daughter.
Jasmin (Simmons) Tow '11
Bridging Cultural Divides, Improving Educational Outcomes
Alumna creates culturally responsive classrooms to meet the needs of students from every background.
Otakuye Conroy-Ben '98
Lakota Researcher Supports Her Community Through Epidemiology
Alumna mends relationships between native tribes and researchers, while addressing tribal health concerns through wastewater epidemiology.
Patter Birsic '77
Improving Outcomes for Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatitis Patients
Alumna harnesses loss into action to serve patients facing pancreatic illnesses.
Rudy Monterrosa '01 J.D.
Fighting for Asylum Seekers in the Legal System
Law School alum and adjunct professor practices immigration law and provides pro bono assistance to asylum seekers in Texas.
Paul ’80 and Cindy ’81 Stark
Changing the World, One Child at a Time
Husband and wife alums pursue their vocation through fostering and adoption.
Roberto Larios '10
Empowering Diverse Voices in Hollywood
FTT alum helps agency represent Latino voices in entertainment
Rev. Fritz Louis, C.S.C., ’09 M.A.
Priest Empowers Fellow Haitians to Overcome Poverty
His organization provides training, resources to become self-sufficient
Beth Cotter ’11
She Helps Patients Battling Eating Disorders, Food Issues
Her work enables other to create a healthier relationship with food
Becky (Klein) Hinkel ’01
They Had No Mother. She Stepped In.
Woman and her family took extended trip to serve at orphanage
Loretta Rietsema ’80
Sharing the Gift of Sobriety
Alumna in recovery from alcoholism runs sober living house for women
Brittani Cahill ’11, ’13 MSCE
Engineering Uganda’s Future
She helped communities build much-needed schools
Mike Schack '04 EMBA
Turning Young Lives Around
His school empowers struggling young people
Annette Esquibel ’11
Protecting Our Shared Environment
Young alum uses sustainable tourism to make a difference
Michon Hinz ’85 J.D.
Returning the Kindness
She sees family’s story in the immigrants she serves
Kevin Rahill '12
A Long Climb for Orphans
Alum spends life-changing year helping children in South Africa
Ray’Von Jones ’16
Teaching Students to Succeed
Educator helps pupils thrive and achieve
David Walker ’81
Caring for Wounded Warriors
His organization helps veterans pay the bills
Marybeth Christie Redmond '85
Writing on the Margins
She combines craft with passion for social justice
Judy O'Connor '76
The Assignment of a Lifetime
Lifelong educator helps paralyzed son complete his graduate degree