There are 18 million adults in the United States who do not possess a high school diploma. In many states, after age 21 they are no longer eligible to receive one, and must get a GED, which typically offer less promising outcomes.Goodwill saw this gap and launched the Excel Center, an adult, tuition-free adult charter school that also offers services like childcare and life coaching, to ensure the success of their students.They saw what they believed was great success at their flagship, Indianapolis location, but they lacked data to help it grow, so they invited Notre Dame’s Wilson-Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) to assess their program.Its study showed graduates from the Excel Center saw a 40 percent increase in earnings in five years. Graduates were also more likely to move into jobs that became careers, and to support their families long-term.Based on this data, states like Arizona have changed their legislation and pledged money to build Excel Centers.Learn more: https://go.nd.edu/ImproveEducationPolicies

The Notre Dame student body gifted Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., with a new set of vestments for his inauguration as President of the University.Each time Fr. Dowd celebrates Mass, the vestments will be a reminder of the support and prayers of the Notre Dame student body.

An introduction to Notre Dame's 18th president from the people who know him best.

University of Notre Dame President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., delivers the homily at the 2024-25 Opening of the Academic Year Mass in Purcell Pavilion on August 28, 2024.

Heather Christophersen (https://www.nd.edu/about/leadership/council/heather-christophersen/) , vice president for Notre Dame Human Resources, was our very first guest on the NDWorks Podcast, and we had the opportunity to talk to her again about the NDHR transformation. In this episode, she updates us on the reimagined onboarding process, which is another phase of that transformation.---This episode of NDWorks Podcast was hosted by Natalie Davis Miller, managing editor of NDWorks, and was edited by Michael Wiens, visual media coordinator, with original music by Alex Mansour.Thanks to NDHR and Heather Christophersen.

How do you tackle "forever chemicals"? Notre Dame is the perfect place to find out.We're identifying environmental impacts, developing new ways to measure and manage contaminated water supplies, and exploring new methods of treatment.

Biological Sciences Professor Daniele Miranda tracks the flow of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, through waterways to study the effects they have on local communities.Working in collaboration with NOAA and Indiana's Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Miranda and her team of researchers found that underserved communities are exposed to PFAS levels up to ten times higher than the EPA regulations for drinking water—posing serious health risks.This video reveals how PFAS contamination can lead to immunosuppression, various cancers, and decreased vaccine responses while showcasing the University of Notre Dame's research and environmental justice efforts to inform policymakers about this critical environmental issue.This is the third video from the series "PFAS: The Forever Problem." Learn more at nd.edu/stories/pfas.

Engineering Professor Kyle Doudrick examines the challenges related to pervasive forever chemicals found in commonly used household items like waterproof clothing and non-stick cookware. These microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant health and environmental risks.Doudrick and his team are working on innovative approaches to mitigate the impact of PFAS contamination. In this video, discover the ongoing efforts to regulate these substances and the promising technologies being developed at the University of Notre Dame aimed at reducing PFAS contamination.This is the second of three videos from the series "PFAS: The Forever Problem." Learn more at nd.edu/stories/pfas.

Notre Dame researcher Graham Peaslee reveals how man-made PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—commonly known as forever chemicals—end up in our food and, eventually, the environment. These chemicals persist for thousands of years, posing a significant environmental threat and health risk.In the first of a three-part video series titled "PFAS: The Forever Problem," we discuss how PFAS is quickly becoming one of the largest environmental problems the U.S. has ever faced and the cutting-edge techniques the University of Notre Dame is developing to measure and mitigate their impact on our environment and health.

Chemistry professor Marya Lieberman decided to let the local community’s needs drive her scientific process. That's how she found herself out of the lab and on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.At the University of Notre Dame, Lieberman and her team are working to develop a quick, low-cost test for fentanyl and other deadly drugs. While it won't end the opioid epidemic, it could have an immediate impact, preventing overdoses and giving people second chances they otherwise would not have.Support is always available if you or someone in your life is struggling with substance use. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website for help and resources.