Updates from Notre Dame's Washington Office

December 2025

FEATURED | DC BRIDGE BUILDERS

Inspired by University President Father Bob Dowd's call for Notre Dame to be a community of bridge-builders, our office highlights members of the ND family finding common ground and making an impact in public service, policy, and beyond.

Read on to meet this edition's DC Bridge Builders, Rep. Brendan Boyle and Irene Levering.

DOMERS IN THE DISTRICT

The Notre Dame Club of Washington, DC held its annual Universal Notre Dame (UND) Celebration at the Washington Office, honoring the military-connected Notre Dame family. The Alumni Association's flagship event featured a powerful fireside chat with OMVA Director Ken Heckel '96 and Admiral (Ret.) Christopher Grady '84, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and an NROTC alum, on Notre Dame's commitment to veterans and military-connected students.

Learn more > 

Admiral Christopher Grady reflected on how Notre Dame’s institutional commitment to service members and his undergraduate experience shaped four decades of military leadership in conversation with OMVA Director Ken Heckel.

Notre Dame Poverty Initiative economists Dr. Jim Sullivan and Dr. Melissa Kearney briefed Hill staff, policy experts, and stakeholders on a new, evidence-based policy agenda to combat poverty and expand opportunity. Hosted with the Aspen Economic Strategy Group at the ND Washington Office, the briefing highlighted Notre Dame's research-driven approach to one of our nation’s most pressing challenges.

Read the paper >

Drs. Kearney and Sullivan introduced their paper, "Beyond the Myths: A Clearer Path to Poverty Alleviation in America," to a convening of Hill staff, policy experts, and other stakeholders.

This fall, students from the Keough School of Global Affairs and the Notre Dame Washington Program met with senior congressional staffers from both the House and Senate, gaining firsthand insight into careers on Capitol Hill. 

Special thanks to our ND alumni and friends on the Hill for sharing their time and expertise!

Highlights included meetings with Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff, Rob Wagener ‘09 and Elizabeth Arevalo ‘14, and Meghan Gallagher Lake ‘16.

Notre Dame and Syracuse University joined forces to host a spirited reception for alumni and friends ahead of our November matchup. Thanks to the ND DC community for bringing the Irish spirit, and to our friends at Syracuse for a wonderful evening! 

The Syracuse and Notre Dame Washington Office teams co-hosted a joint alumni and friends reception ahead of the Notre Dame-Syracuse game, with support from ND alums Mackenzie Thomas '25 and Hannah Dahl '25 at Cornerstone Government Affairs. 

CAMPUS CORNER

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE) met with Keough School of Global Affairs undergraduates to discuss his path to public service and his foreign policy priorities as a leading member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senator Coons joined students in an introductory global affairs course for a conversation on foreign policy and public service. 

In a panel at the Northeast Indiana Defense Summit, Notre Dame Vice President for Research Jeff Rhoads emphasized the leading role universities are playing in driving innovation in hypersonics research and testing. Hosted by U.S. Senator Jim Banks (IN), the summit showcased Indiana's growing impact in advancing national security.

Learn more about Notre Dame's innovation in hypersonics, including the nation's first and only Mach 10 quiet wind tunnel > 

Sen. Jim Banks invited Jeff Rhoads to speak at his annual national security summit in Fort Wayne, IN.

SCIENCE FOR SERVICE

Notre Dame's inaugural Professor for Public Understanding of Science, Dr. Kate Biberdorf, better known as "Kate the Chemist," led an exciting science demonstration at The Science Coalition's Science of Space celebration on Capitol Hill. The event brought together Members of Congress, industry leaders, and Jared Isaacman, recently confirmed as NASA Administrator, to underscore the importance of sustained federal investment in basic scientific research at universities.

Learn more about the event >

Kate the Chemist, a renowned science communicator known for making science accessible and exciting to all, led an experiment at the Science of Space event.

Jill Pentimonti, Notre Dame's Executive Director for Research Advancement, welcomed guests and served as moderator. 

FEATURED | DC BRIDGE BUILDERS

Meet this edition's DC Bridge Builders, part of our series spotlighting members of the ND family advancing dialogue and collaboration in Washington. 

U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle '99 shared his path to public service and the importance of finding common ground in Congress.

Read Congressman Boyle's full profile > 

In the video below, Rep. Boyle reflects on bridge-building and the lessons he carries from Notre Dame.

Our Federal Relations Associate, Irene Levering '24, shared her story of carrying forward Notre Dame's bridge-building mission in Washington. Read Irene's full profile > 

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Learn more about our Washington Office team, and contact us at washingtonoffice@nd.edu.

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