I was contacted by Notre Dame to say a thank you to the Hagale Family who have provided scholarships to ND students for 30 years! I wanted to share my reflection that I submitted – and some pics.
1. How did the gift of financial aid impact your decision to attend Notre Dame?
The financial aid made all the difference – I wouldn’t have been able to attend Notre Dame had I needed to pay full price. I was thankfully awarded financial aid for half of tuition, room and board, which made attending Notre Dame about the same as attending the in-state public university. This was beyond incredible. I grew up in Green Bay, WI. It was important to my parents that I attend college, but attending a school like Notre Dame was beyond what anyone in my family thought possible. I’m forever grateful.
2. What are memorable moments in your learning at Notre Dame that you have carried forward beyond campus?
My favorite classes and experiences were rooted in Catholic social teaching. As part of my summer service project, I read a book by Fr. Michael Himes, in which he calls upon the reader to consider their vocation by pondering 3 questions.
1) Is this a source of joy?
2) Is this something that taps into your talents and gifts—engages all of your abilities—and uses them in the fullest way possible?
3) Is this role a genuine service to the people around you, to society at large?
I have considered these questions at every major career turning point in my life and have shared them with others as well.
Another meaningful experience was my independent study in an urban school in South Bend that I completed under my sociology teacher. I read Jonathan Kozol’s Savage Inequalities around the same time. It opened my eyes to the disparities that exist in our education system and has led me into a career in education.
3. What are you doing now – share a bit about your life and/or profession?
I married a fellow 2003 ND grad, and we have 3 children – ages 11, 9 and 3. I’m still close friends with many of my roommates from school, although we are well overdue for a girls trip (the pandemic and babies have gotten in the way!)
I am also the Chief of Strategy and Turnaround for a mid-size urban school district in western Massachusetts, which was put into receivership by the state 7 years ago for chronic underperformance. Although we still have a long way to go, I’m proud to share that our graduation rate is10-points higher, the percentage of students enrolled in advance coursework more closely mirrors our mostly Latinx student population, access to PreK programming has doubled and our teaching staff is nearly 3x more diverse.
4. If you could speak directly to the Hagale family what would you say?
Thank you. That seems insufficient, but as I think about what to say, I’m filled with deep gratitude, humility and a feeling of extreme good fortune. The impact of your gift will go on for generations, across many families. I hope you and your family are happy and healthy.