St 9

Vision

The Inspired Leadership Initiative (ILI) is for accomplished individuals who wish to discover, discern, and design who they want to be in the next phase of their lives to facilitate emergence as a renewed and richly prepared force for good in their communities and beyond.

We define "accomplished" broadly to incorporate those who have excelled in business, non-profit organizations, and throughout life.

Our focus is centered on discerned personal transformation which provides direction for a person’s future.  This is related to but purposefully different from a focus on finding specific vocation which many of our fellows accomplish upon completion of the program.

ILI fellows are mentored and supported by Notre Dame faculty and staff as they tap into the enriching academic environment of the University. They have a wealth of resources available to them, with a core and tailored curriculum at its center, complemented by community engagement, an invitation to spiritual exploration and access to Notre Dame's domestic and global gateways and centers.

ILI represents Notre Dame’s first venture into "encore education"—a growing form of higher education—and is inspired by programs at other leading universities. Just as the other pioneering programs reflect the culture of their host universities, so too is ILI infused by Notre Dame's rich traditions.

With the committed support of the University's administration, ILI fellows learn by:

  • Engaging in our core course, the Human Journey, and other core elements
  • Auditing classes, attending lectures, and engaging in student projects on campus
  • Enjoying open access to campus resources and activities
  • Learning from the other fellows as they form a powerful and lasting community
  • Discovering opportunities to make a lasting impact—both on themselves and in the lives of others—through community engagement and service projects
     

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.

“Many highly accomplished leaders reach a stage in their lives when they wish to find new ways to be forces for good in their communities and in the wider world. This program will serve as a catalyst for intellectual challenge, spiritual growth, and discernment about sharing their gifts in the next chapter of their lives.”

—Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame President

Explore More Stories

Hear from our fellows and faculty advisors as they share their unique and inspiring stories.

What Would You Fight For?

Sample some of Notre Dame's unique and inspiring stories that help to illustrate the ethos and reach of the University:

Endorsed and Supported by the Deans' Council

Program and Faculty Advisors

  • Wendy Angst

    Director of the Undergraduate Studies for the Consulting for Impact Minor, Teaching Professor

  • Paul Blaschko

    Assistant Teaching Professor and Director, Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise, and Society

  • Ted Cachey

    Professor of Italian Ravarino Family Director of Italian and Dante Studies; Co-Director, Center for Italian Studies

  • Ann-Marie Conrado

    Associate Professor, Industrial Design

  • Kathleen Cummings

    Director, Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism and Professor, Department of American Studies and Department of History

  • Darren Davis

    Lilly Presidential Fellow, Department of Political Science

  • Michael Desch

    Brian and Jeannelle Brady Family Director of the Notre Dame International Security Center (NDISC)

  • Marie Donahue

    Associate Teaching Professor, Global Health Practice

  • William Donahue

    Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Professor of the Humanities and Director, Initiative for Global Europe, Keough School of Global Affairs

  • Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C.

    Vice President and Associate Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives; Religious Superior of Holy Cross Priests and Brothers at Notre Dame

  • John Duffy

    The William T. and Helen Kuhn Carey Professor of Modern Communication and Faculty Faculty Fellow, Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights

  • Margot Fassler

    Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, Director, Program of Sacred Music, and Professor of Musicology and Ethnomusicology

  • Rev. Dan Groody, C.S.C.

    Vice President and Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs

  • Peter Holland

    Associate Dean for the Arts and McMeel Professor of Shakespeare Studies

  • Lionel Jensen

    Associate Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures

  • Tamara Kay

    Professor of Global Affairs and Sociology

  • Angela Logan

    St. Andre Bessette Director of Nonprofit Professional Development and Associate Teaching Professor, Management and Organization

  • George Lopez

    Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Professor Emeritus of Peace Studies

  • Rev. Edward (Monk) Malloy, C.S.C.

    President Emeritus and Professor of Theology

  • Jennifer Martin

    Associate Professor

  • Michelle Marvin

    Assistant Teaching Professor and Associate Director, University Writing Center

  • Timothy Matovina

    Professor and Department Chair, Theology

  • John McGreevy

    Charles and Jill Fischer Provost

  • Maria McKenna

    Senior Associate Director, Education, Schooling, and Society, Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Africana Studies, and Faculty Co-Director, AnBryce Scholars Program

  • Connie Mick

    Senior Associate Director, Academic Affairs, Center for Social Concerns and Director, Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

  • Dory Mitros Durham

    Associate Director, Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights and Associate Teaching Professor

  • Michael H. Morris

    Professor of the Practice, Pulte Institute for Global Development and the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business, Keough School of Global Affairs

  • Jim Morrison

    Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives

  • Raymond Offenheiser

    William J. Pulte Director, Pulte Institute for Global Development, Interim Director, McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business, and Professor of the Practice, Keough School of Global Affairs

  • Susan Ohmer

    Associate Professor, Film, Television The William T. Carey and Helen Kuhn Carey Chair in Modern Communication

  • James Otteson

    John T. Ryan Jr. Professor of Business Ethics and Rex and Alice A. Martin Faculty Director of the Notre Dame/Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership

  • Margaret Pfeil

    Associate Teaching Professor

  • Gerard Powers

    Professor of the Practice and Director, Catholic Peacebuilding Studies

  • Steve Reifenberg

    Teaching Professor of International Development and Co-Director, Integration Lab

  • Jeff Speaks

    Professor and Department Chair, Philosophy

  • Thomas Stapleford

    Associate Professor, Program of Liberal Studies Associate; Professor, Program of Liberal Studies; Concurrent Associate Professor, Department of History; Faculty member, Program in History & Philosophy of Science

  • Dominic Vachon

    John G. Sheedy, M.D., Director of the Ruth M. Hillebrand Center for Compassionate Care in Medicine

  • Rev. Oliver Williams, C.S.C.

    Associate Professor