The Presidential Awards recognize staff members for their significant contributions to the betterment of the University and whose actions exemplify Notre Dame’s Core Values: Accountability, Teamwork, Integrity, Leadership in Excellence and Leadership in Mission.
Jennifer embodies the University’s mission through her work as the Literacy Program Director at the Robinson Community Learning Center, the Center for Civic Engagement, and in her everyday life as a servant leader embodying the social mission of the Catholic Church. At the RCLC, Jennifer noticed that mothers with young children were unable to participate in the center’s English as a New Language (ENL) classes due to a lack of child care. Jennifer took the initiative to create the ENL preschool, which has been an incredible success. In addition to her professional achievements and contributions, Jennifer inspires others by how she treats people. Everyday, she seeks to reach out to communities that experience poverty, injustice and oppression. She makes people’s lives better and richer by making them feel seen, important, listened to and loved.