Family Engagement

Parent engagement is key to building community and being involved in your student’s education while creating relationships with other Notre Dame families. There are a multitude of social, volunteer, educational and networking opportunities for families to engage at Notre Dame. Every parent is a member of the Notre Dame Parent Association upon your student’s enrollment and all parents are invited and encouraged to join at least one parent resource group to form a community with others who have similar interests. To join any one of the groups below or subscribe to the NDPA distribution list for upcoming opportunities, please complete this NDPA registration form.

Below are descriptions of some of the parent resource groups.  

Notre Dame Parent Association (NDPA)

This group serves as the umbrella under which parents can connect around common interests, including spirituality, academics, culture, co-curricular activities and more.  

All resource groups are invited to have a representative at the NDPA meetings to share about their activities, network with representatives from other groups and learn how you can support one another. Any parent can form an interest group with other parents who share a common interest. 

Meetings: 4 times per year

Chair: Isabel Guerrand (Chloe ‘26)
Past Chair/Advisor: Lila Lam ‘92 (Amelia ‘22, Therese ‘24)
Chair-Elect: Sophomore Parent (Open Vacancy)

Parent Resource Groups

Parent resource groups are parent-led interest groups. They provide an opportunity for parents to come together, support one another, and offer volunteer assistance and guidance to school programs or activities. A representative from each resource group serves as an ambassador to the NDPA and helps to keep other parents in the groups up-to-date on all school activities, social opportunities and student programs.

Co-Curricular Programs:

• Athletics
• Robotics
• Speech and Debate
• Student Activities
• VAPA

Events/Opportunities:

• Admissions-Parent Mentors/Ambassadors
• Crab Fest
• ND Reads
• Women of Impact

Parent Resource Groups:

African Ancestry Parent Resource Group (AAPRG)
The Notre Dame AAPRG is for ND parents whose students identify as being of African descent. (African descent is intended to represent people of the African diaspora). We provide support to our students of African descent in their educational and personal journeys, as well as help the Notre Dame faculty and staff in addressing challenges unique to our community. Our parent engagement is rooted in our shared experiences and spans all things related to our students -- from freshman recruiting to senior send-offs, and everything in between, including social, cultural and societal happenings. As an established community within the broader ND community, we specifically partner with Notre Dame on the following:

• Onboarding
• Diversity recruiting 
• Belonging
• Collaborating with BSU Moderators and ND administrators to ensure that the unique needs of our students of African descent are being met
• Graduation 
• Partnering to acknowledge our graduates of African descent on their academic achievements, social justice advocacy and advancement into higher education

Onboarding Liaison: Brett Solomon (Bailey ‘25)
Experience Liaison: Tracey Crooks (Dylan ‘25)
Social Secretary: Judith King (Etana ‘25)

ND Compadres: 
ND Compadres is an inclusive group of Notre Dame parents/families whose intent is to strengthen the Latino community at Notre Dame and support the students on their educational journey. The group serves as a resource to the Notre Dame community and the Notre Dame Parent Association (NDPA), engaging parents socially, creating a supportive space for leadership, and helping strengthen the fabric of the community for ND and its students. The goal is to develop partnerships in the community that can collaborate with ND for opportunities, bridge the gap for families, and provide an inclusive and open space for families.

ND Dads:  
ND Dads is a group of dads who sign up to volunteer in various capacities to support our students. Theyhosts the Father/Daughter breakfast in November!

Co-Chairs: Mike Ponce (Micaela ‘25), Chris Cave (Kenz ‘26)

Book Club:  
The Book Club meets to discuss specific books and various themes.

Meetings: Once a month

Chair: Open

Social Club:
The Social Club is a group of parents/families who meet on a social level for happy hour or coffee and discuss opportunities. 

Meetings: Once a month

Chair: Lila Lam