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

Notre Dame Parent Association

The NDPA serves as the umbrella where parents can connect around common interests, including spirituality, academics, culture, co-curricular activities and more.

The NDPA hosts leadership meetings with the Parent Resource Groups' leadership teams to share updates about their activities, network with representatives from other groups and explore ways to support one another. Any parent is welcome to form a resource group with other parents who share a common interest.

Meetings: 3 times per year

Chair: Visha Rao (Pragnya '27)
Past Chair/Advisor: Lisa Kunze (Rebecca '26)
Chair-Elect: Kim Garay (Angelica '28)

Parent Resource Groups

Parent resource groups are parent-led interest groups that offer a space for parents to connect, support one another and contribute to school programs or activities. Each group’s leadership attends the NDPA leadership meeting – they are a vital resource for both the Notre Dame community and the NDPA.

African Ancestry Parent Resource Group (AAPRG)
AAPRG is a group for parents whose students identify as being of African descent, encompassing the African diaspora. They offer support to students of African descent in their educational and personal journeys, build community and assist faculty and staff in addressing challenges unique to their community. Their parent engagement is rooted in shared experiences and spans all aspects of their students' lives – from freshman recruiting to senior send-offs and social, cultural and societal events. AAPRG specifically partners with Notre Dame on the following:

• Onboarding
• Diversity recruiting 
• Promoting a sense of belonging
• Collaborating with Black Student Union Moderators and Notre Dame administrators to ensure that the unique needs of the students of African descent are met
• Graduation 
• Recognizing the academic achievements, social justice advocacy and advancement into higher education of the graduates of African descent

Experience and Graduation Outcome Liaison: Angel Mina (Jazmyn '27)
Diversity Committee: Kenn Walker (Sophia ’28)
Onboarding Liaison: Judith Torres (Tiana ’26)
Village Scholarship Committee: Myika Ramirez (Ava ’28)
Social Liaisons: Belen Aceves (Isis '27) and Kim Garay (Angelica '28)

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI): 
AAPI is a welcoming and inclusive community of parents and guardians dedicated to celebrating and honoring the rich diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. Through social gatherings, cultural events, and learning opportunities, the group fosters meaningful connections among families while encouraging parent engagement across campus life. All are welcome, whether you identify as AAPI or simply want to learn more and be part of this vibrant community. Join us as we celebrate heritage, build relationships, and support one another on the Notre Dame journey.

Chair: Lisa Kunze (Rebecca '26)

Book Club:  
The Book Club creates community through a shared love of reading, bringing members together to discuss specific books and various themes. The club will discuss 4 books over the year, offering both morning and evening discussions to accommodate parents' schedules. 

Chairs: Amanda Vemuri (Jasmine '27) and Susan Timpano (Clare '27) 

ND Compadres: 
ND Compadres is an inclusive group of Notre Dame parents and guardians dedicated to strengthening the Latino community at Notre Dame and supporting the students on their educational journey. The group engages parents socially, creates a supportive space for leadership and helps strengthen the fabric of community for Notre Dame and its students. The goal is to develop partnerships that collaborate with Notre Dame, bridge gaps and provide an open and inclusive environment for families.

ND Compadres es un grupo inclusivo de padres y tutores de Notre Dame dedicado a fortalecer la comunidad latina en Notre Dame y a apoyar a los estudiantes en su trayectoria educativa. El grupo promueve la participación social de los padres, crea un espacio de apoyo para el liderazgo y ayuda a fortalecer el tejido comunitario de Notre Dame y sus estudiantes. El objetivo es desarrollar alianzas que colaboren con Notre Dame, superen las brechas para las familias y brinden un entorno abierto e inclusivo.

Chair: Gieselle Perez (Sophia '26)
Vice Chair: Porfirio Garay (Angelica '28)
NDPA Liason: Angel Mina (Jazmyn '27)
Events: Rosario Ormeno (Loreen '26) and Adriana Portillo (Maya '24)

ND Social Club:
The ND Social Club is a fun and welcoming parent resource group dedicated to building community through casual, low-key gatherings. Whether it's a happy hour, coffee meetup or a shared outing, the ND Social Club offers parents and guardians the chance to connect, relax, and enjoy each other's company. It's all about fostering friendships and creating joyful moments together. No agenda, just great conversation and community. Everyone is welcome!

Chair: Aimee Adamos (Lily '27) 

Parent Class Representatives:
Parent Class Representatives serve as key ambassadors for their grade level, helping to build a strong and connected Notre Dame community. Working closely with the ND Social Club, they foster parent engagement by encouraging volunteerism, promoting events, and championing support of the school. As the primary monitors of their class WhatsApp groups, they help share important updates and serve as the first point of contact for all class-related questions and activities. Their leadership helps keep each class informed, involved, and united.

Class of 2026: Sarah Finlay (Alice '26)
Class of 2027: Aimee Adamos (Lily '27)
Class of 2028: Kelsey Martinez Combellick (Madison '28), Ning Yao (Audrey '28), Tipu Purkayastha (Saachi '28), Sulagna Bal
Class of 2029: Elizabeth Arias and Nathan Standifer (Abigail '29) and Rabea Chaudhry (Summer '29)