“What drew me to Poverty Research Fellows is the hope it inspires. Alumni of the program will move into their careers with the knowledge of how to use evidence to end poverty - and will put that knowledge into action as they become the future leaders in education, business, social service, public policy, and more,” shares Laura Connelly, assistant director of Poverty Research Fellows.
Laura joined LEO in January 2024 from the University’s Division of Student Affairs, bringing a deep understanding of holistic student development in the Notre Dame tradition. Her dedication to our mission of eradicating poverty is a perfect match for the passion that drives all of us here at LEO.
When discussing LEO’s goals with those not yet familiar with our work, I’ve noticed initial skepticism. Yet, this quickly turns to interest as I explain our collaborative model, partnering with 89 nonprofit organizations nationwide to develop and research scalable anti-poverty strategies. It’s compelling to see the wide-reaching belief in our mission, not just within our team but also among our partners and the Notre Dame students who intern with us.
Since LEO’s inception in 2012, we’ve welcomed over 110 undergraduate interns into our mission. They dive deep into roles spanning business operations, marketing, policy & impact, project development, and research. Many extend their commitment to LEO beyond their summer internships, contributing throughout the academic year.
The newly-launched Poverty Research Fellows (PRF) program is an exciting next best step in cultivating the hearts and minds of Notre Dame undergraduates who are committed to being a force for good. Building off an already-impactful internship experience, PRF establishes a dedicated team tasked with creating a multi-pronged, interdisciplinary program that allows students to deepen their understanding of evidence-based solutions. Poverty Research Fellows gain exclusive access to individualized internships, academic coursework, immersive learning experiences, special guest speakers, research faculty, alumni mentorship, career networking, and opportunities to learn alongside a cohort of peers with a common goal: the pursuit of vocation in service to ending poverty.
The Poverty Research Fellows program serves the University’s commitment to become a leading institution for poverty research, as outlined in the 2023 Strategic Framework, specifically by strengthening the undergraduate student formation experience. As Laura puts it, “Notre Dame students want to be a force for good in the world; they want their lives to make a meaningful impact whether through their career or through service. The work of LEO and Poverty Research Fellows is exactly at this intersection—where our careers and our ‘hard skills’ are dedicated to making a difference in our world today.”
Read the rest of this edition of Illuminate below!