“Once you’re a part of Kellogg you’re always a part of Kellogg” is a common phrase said around the institute, especially at this time of year, when affiliated students graduate and visiting fellows depart. But the truth of the phrase was never more evident than when it was articulated at a gathering of undergraduate alumni in Washington, DC, on May 12.
Kellogg Institute Associate Director Holly Rivers reminded alumni of this fact as she welcomed 26 former Kellogg Institute undergraduates to a reception and dinner that evening. With the Institute hosting the annual Global Democracy Conference there that week, it was a perfect time to hold the alumni event. Many attended parts of the conference as well.
The alumni were from Notre Dame classes ranging as early as 2007 and as recent as 2024. Living in the metro area, they came to meet one another and discuss their journeys since graduation.
While they share a common connection with Kellogg, the alumni work in fields as diverse as national security, technology research, economic development, and human rights. Many were employed in private sector, non-profit, or government jobs. Some were between positions due to recent federal government cuts, others were unsure if they might be in a similar position in the near future. All reflected on the enduring value of their Kellogg experiences.
“I got the job I have today 100% because of the skills I learned and experiences I had in the International Scholars Program,” remarked Claire O’Brien ’20, who is a research associate in the Health Policy Division at the Urban Institute, where she studies disparities in the Medicaid program.
Benjamín Rascón Gracia ‘24 shared that he was inspired by last year’s Global Democracy Conference to join the Biden/Harris re-election campaign on the finance team. “Working with some of the best fundraisers in the country on a $2 billion campaign, I witnessed what it meant to transform concern for liberal democracy into action,” he said.
"The exposure to the world afforded to me through Kellogg gave me the confidence to pursue a career focused on international affairs and foreign policy, including over a decade at the US Department of State and in the White House,” explained Stephanie Mulhern Ogorzalek ‘11. “Perhaps more importantly, the spirit of Kellogg – one grounded in service, human rights, and putting people first – continues to guide my career path to this day."
Now a climate tech investor for Nextera Energy, the largest utility in America, Mitch Gainer ‘12 recounted that his first time traveling outside the United States was through a Kellogg program that brought him to Udaipur, India. There he worked in microfinance with a nonprofit and experienced life in a completely different context, helping him develop a new perspective on the world, greater confidence in his own abilities to tackle challenges, and a love for India.
Kellogg Institute Advisory Board members Tara Kenney and John Beckham were at the event and spoke briefly, encouraging those present to take advantage of their Notre Dame alumni connections now and throughout their lives – for information gathering, mentorship, employment connections, and life inspiration.
Kenney shared how being a lifelong learner has been important to her and how the need to pivot to new positions and challenges is a normal part of any career trajectory. Especially for those who were between jobs, she challenged them to “look at your toolkit, build your skills, and network like crazy” and to be open to private sector job possibilities.
Beck proclaimed that “life is big,” and that a job loss often has nothing to do with the person, so it’s important to not take it personally. Quoting that “there’s nothing that’s good or bad that lasts forever,” he reminded the alumni that “no one can take away your intelligence, character, or skills.” Beckham encouraged all present above all to rely on their faith and to explore what God is calling them to.
The evening included a time to brainstorm about how alumni can support current Kellogg students – offering career advice, resume reviews, and guidance on marketing the transferable skills developed through Kellogg programs, such as research and problem-solving. Alumni also expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect with each other and with the institute, underscoring the strength of the Kellogg community.
The gathering exemplified the lifelong connection fostered by the Kellogg Institute – a community dedicated not only to academic excellence but also to supporting one another as they engage with the world’s most pressing challenges.
In a heartfelt moment as she closed the evening, Rivers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see everyone present and catch up on time passed. “One of the reasons I love what I do is because of you,” she said.
To see more of Kellogg Institute alumni and what they are doing today, click here.