Education

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Notre Dame Alumni Association looks back at some of our outstanding Hispanic alumni who have dedicated their professional and personal lives towards being a force for good in the world.

As a former athlete, teacher, and current firefighter, Daara Jalili ’17, ’19 M.Ed. has always been committed to protecting, educating, and inspiring those around him. And while he’s done so in a variety of ways, community has always been at the heart of his efforts.

The Play Like a Champion Today sign that Notre Dame football players tap on their way out of the locker room is more than just a motivational slogan for a big game. It’s also an involved approach to athletics that Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90, ’93 M.A. and the Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series have inspired in parents, coaches, and young athletes for nearly 20 years.

In honor of Black History Month, this We Are ND story collection highlights just a handful of the many Black Alumni of Notre Dame who have used their talents and commitment to make a positive impact on the world.

To Kisa Matlin ’17, home is a feeling. Sometimes this feeling comes natural, and other times, it has to be created. Matlin seeks to cultivate home — in people, in place, and as a teacher.

 Now serving as the associate director of performance quality improvement and compliance at St. Vincent de Paul in Louisville, Kentucky, Greer Hannan '09 reflects on moments of “aliveness” that inspired her to serve those on the margins.

In 2016, then, at the age of 66, Terry Rose '72 decided to become a nurse. 

Kendra Washington-Bass ’94 uses her expertise in education to empower Black students at Notre Dame as the board chair of the Black Alumni of Notre Dame.

Since retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a major general in 2006, where he worked on research and development of nuclear weapons, Latiff has not slowed down.

Many more talented people will make their way to South Bend and Notre Dame over the years to come. Not all will stay, of course. But the work being done by Wiand and enFocus aims to ensure that talent will continue to make both places thrive.

Dr. Darren Dochuk, Ph.D '05 teaches modern U.S. religious and political history to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Notre Dame. 

Jeff Morales ’86, an Emmy Award-winning nature cinematographer, producer, and director,  serves as President of Tamarin Productions and has produced documentaries for National Geographic and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).   

From the grassroots to the global, Barron’s drive for environmental action remains both urgent and hopeful. 

Editor's Note: Domer Diaries is a storytelling series from the Notre Dame Alumni Association where members of the Notre Dame family share their story in their own words. This week's Domer Diaries features Ophelia Camiña '82 J.D., a longtime organizer, mentor, and advocate for inclusiveness in…

Lenzen’s hard work and dedication arise from a deep passion for gender equity in STEM.

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.

In a commitment to public service, DeJorie Monroe ’16 is pursuing a career in diplomacy and international affairs as Notre Dame's first Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellow.

As the first in her family to graduate college, Joan Mileski '79 now works to support today's first-generation students as a professor and head of the Department of Maritime Business Administration at Texas A&M-Galveston.

In 2017, former teacher and principal Krystal Hardy Allen ’07 founded K. Allen Consulting, an educational and management consulting firm that supports a variety of organizations in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Jessica Pedroza ’17, a 2021 Domer Dozen honoree, is working to increase equity in the U.S. education system through legislative action.

Domer Dozen honoree Zoe (Rote) Kourajian ’16 teaches her middle school history students history through a lens that reflects their own experiences.

Lisa Herb '88 founded the Alliance for International Women's Rights to support women in developing countries. Until August 2021 when the country fell back under Taliban rule, AIWR focused its efforts in Afghanistan and is now working with other groups to help Afghan women leaders flee the country for their safety.

Engineering alums create lasting impact teaching children in Jamaica and Haiti self-esteem, leadership, and character at summer basketball camp.

Alum strives to make the world a better place as the first African American chair of the United Negro College Fund.

Alumna creates culturally responsive classrooms to meet the needs of students from every background.

Alumna makes technology education more accessible at South Bend Code School.