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Student Stories

Notre Dame endeavors to be a place where each student can grow individually in both mind and heart, and become a part of something larger than themselves. By celebrating the unique gifts each student brings to our shared community, student life is enriched immeasurably.

The stories below share just some of the ways Notre Dame students are celebrating and taking advantage of the wonderful diversity on our campus – through both scholarship and development and formation outside the classroom.

Foreign Language Teaching Assistant spotlight: Dayana Velasquez

Foreign Language Teaching Assistant spotlight: Dayana Velasquez

Luke Van de Walle

Located north of Ecuador’s capital Quito, the region of Otavalo is home to rich indigenous cultures that are recognized globally for their iconic clothing, textiles, and handcrafts. Dayana Velasquez, 2023–2024 Quechua FLTA, is proud to represent her home and Otavaleña culture in South Bend, as it has held a deep significance throughout her life.

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Law School launches experiential learning program to serve parents of children with disabilities

Law School launches experiential learning program to serve parents of children with disabilities

Denise Wager

Notre Dame Law School is launching a new experiential learning program aimed at supporting parents in the wider South Bend, Indiana area as they advocate for services, accessibility, and accommodations required for their children diagnosed with physical and mental disabilities The program will also provide ND Law students the opportunity to work with families to ensure their child’s access to...

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A&L language majors, minors flip for fully funded Foreign Language Internship Program

A&L language majors, minors flip for fully funded Foreign Language Internship Program

Beth Staples

Victoria Gordon-Brown, a junior Italian and biochemistry major from London, studied climate change in Italy. Reid Ragsdale, a junior Spanish and Arts & Letters pre-health major from Nashville, Tennessee, interned with a physician in Costa Rica. Through the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures' inaugural Foreign Language Internship Program (FLIP), they and nine of their Notre Dame peers...

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Accessibility awareness

Accessibility awareness

Office of Brand Content

Architecture students participated in an annual event where budding architects in their fourth year divide into groups for the morning and try to navigate campus using a wheelchair, crutches, or blindfolds. The purpose is to experience firsthand the challenges or ease of accessibility in the kinds of buildings they could soon be designing.

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Fall 2023 update from the Office of Institutional Transformation

Fall 2023 update from the Office of Institutional Transformation

diversity.nd.edu

The 2023-2024 academic year has gotten off to a fantastic start. As we enter our second full academic year of operations, the Office of Institutional Transformation is firmly positioned to lead and catalyze Notre Dame’s efforts to enhance inclusive excellence as a premier global Catholic research University, fostering a culture of belonging where all can thrive.

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New Middle Eastern and North African studies minor explores vital region through interdisciplinary study

New Middle Eastern and North African studies minor explores vital region through interdisciplinary study

Mary Kinney

Because the region is constantly a part of public discourse, the goal of the MENA minor is to acquaint students with the region and learn about its history, cultures, and politics. This will make it possible for them to pursue advanced study at a later stage and utilize constructive skills to navigate future topics concerning the area.

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