University leaders discussed Notre Dame’s response to the changing higher education environment, academic updates, and a new set of staff values at the Fall 2025 Staff Town Halls on October 29 and 30.
Vice President for Human Resources Heather Christophersen opened the 45-minute sessions by inviting audience members to look around Washington Hall and enjoy the recently refurbished murals inside the 144-year-old venue. She then introduced University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., who began with a prayer and words of thanks.
“Thanks for everything you’re doing this first half of this semester,” Father Dowd said. “I know it’s been very busy, and I’ve had countless people come up to me and compliment how beautiful the grounds are, how incredibly friendly everyone they have met has been, and how welcoming this community is.”
Father Dowd highlighted the University’s top priorities, which are guided by its mission: supporting current employees, ensuring a Notre Dame education is accessible and affordable, and advancing Notre Dame 2033: A Strategic Framework. He ended by thanking staff members for being “agents of hope” and embracing the spirit of the 2025–26 Notre Dame Forum theme, “Cultivating Hope.”
“Hope is not a passive virtue. Cultivating hope requires that we take the challenges of our world seriously,” Father Dowd said. “I want to thank you for your dedication to addressing challenges, whatever they may be, and for being there for one another and encouraging one another.”
John McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost, introduced new academic leaders and shared key developments related to the strategic framework. He highlighted two changes to undergraduate education—the newly reimagined Moreau First-Year Seminar and a transition to four-year advising—as examples of the framework’s call for faculty and staff to “think as an institution.” Both processes involved faculty and staff collaborating across units to create a better student experience, McGreevy said.
And while those two projects were specifically mentioned in Notre Dame 2033, McGreevy said he wants all staff to see their work at the University as critical to the framework’s success.
“It is hundreds of staff members and faculty members working together and thinking as an institution that allows us to do the great things the University does,” he said.
Executive Vice President Shannon Cullinan echoed his counterparts in praising staff members for their commitment to advancing the University’s mission this fall. He then provided a summary of financial pressures affecting the University, which include an increase in the federal endowment tax and reductions in federal research funding.
In response to these financial headwinds, the University has committed to reducing nonessential spending, enacted a 2.5 percent budget reduction, and adopted a disciplined approach to staff hiring.
Even as he acknowledged the difficulties facing higher education, Cullinan said Notre Dame is better positioned than its peers, and he applauded staff for embracing stewardship measures as they continue to perform high-quality work.
“I’ve been deeply impressed with how you take care of each other,” he said.
Cullinan also updated staff on construction projects across campus, including two new residence halls on South Quad set to open next fall and the ongoing South Dining Hall renovation.
To conclude the sessions, Christophersen gave employees a first look at the new ND Values—a refresh of longtime organizational principles. These values, she said, are an expression of how we seek to advance Notre Dame’s mission as a global, Catholic research university.
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Community: Treat every person with dignity and respect.
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Collaboration: Work together with honesty, kindness, and humility.
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Excellence: Pursue the highest standards with a commitment to truth and service.
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Innovation: Embrace opportunities with creativity and dedication.
You can learn more about the ND Values by hearing from several University staff members in this video.
A video recording of the full session, with the option for closed captioning, is available on the executive vice president’s website.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on November 10, 2025.