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 to engage with. 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 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

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

All resource groups are encouraged to have a representative at NDPA meetings 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: 4 times per year

Chair: Lisa Kunze (Rebecca '26)
Past Chair/Advisor: Isabel Guerrand (Chloe '26)
Chair-Elect: Visha Rao (Pragnya '27)

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 selects a representative to serve as an ambassador to the NDPA, ensuring that parents stay informated about school activities, social opportunities and student programs. 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, 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 Liaisons: Tracey Crooks (Dylan '25), Angel Mina (Jazmyn '27)
Social Secretary: Belen Aceves (Isis '27), Kim Garay (Angelica '28), Judith King (Etana '25)

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI): 
Notre Dame is seeking enthusiastic parent leaders passionate about celebrating the AAPI community. These leaders will play a key role in fostering parent engagement and providing resources that support student leadership and personal growth.

Chair: Bindu Garapaty (Radhika '25)

Book Club:  
The Book Club creates community through a shared love of reading, bringing members together to discuss specific books and various themes.

Meetings: The club will discuss 4 books over the year, offering both morning and evening discussions to accommodate parents' schedules. 

Chairs: Amanda Vemuri (Jasmine '27), Susan Timpano (Clare '27) and Virginia Paneda (Tess '25)

ND Compadres: 
ND Compadres is an inclusive group of Notre Dame parents and families 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 for families and provide an open and inclusive environment for families.

Social Club:
The Social Club is a group of parents and families who gather for casual meetups, such as happy hours or coffee gatherings. Notre Dame is looking for parents who enjoy fostering community connections and socializing! Traditionally, parent leads organize informal gatherings following school events like the Homecoming dance.

Meetings: Once a month

Chair: Ginny Kazmierczak (Bailey '25)