2024–25 McNeill Common Good Fellows

The McNeill Common Good Fellowship is a paid, three-year fellowship for Notre Dame undergraduates. The fellows join an interdisciplinary community of scholars eager to explore how to live an ethical life of meaning, purpose, and impact. Meet our 2024–25 McNeill Common Good Fellows:

Gaaya Binoj

I’m a physics-in-medicine major from St. Louis, Missouri. Outside of school, I’m a chess player, coach, and tournament director. In my free time, I like to go on walks, read random Wikipedia articles, and try new food from Trader Joes!

Cozette Brown

I am a major in the program of liberal studies with minors in data science and education, schooling, and society. I’m from Portland, Michigan, but on campus I call Farley Hall my home. When I’m not busy reading for class, you can find me knitting, watching movies, trying a new coffee shop, or, well, reading (for fun). As a McNeill fellow, I am exploring the education system’s effects on social inequality—and what I can do to make quality schooling more accessible to all.

Priscilla Chau

I am pursuing a degree in electrical engineering where I hope to delve into the field of robotic intelligence. I am originally from Orlando, Florida, but on campus I enjoy rock climbing with friends, stargazing, and attending various faith-based clubs.

Luke Donoghue

I traveled to St. Edward’s Hall from Rockville Centre, New York. I am pursuing a double major in finance and global affairs, with a minor in Chinese. Before Notre Dame, I attended Regis High School in Manhattan. I am a Scotts Scholar and a member of the Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise, and Society. I spent the summer of 2024 in Beijing in a language immersion program run by Princeton University. I am excited to participate in research and contribute to the Notre Dame and South Bend communities.

Makeda Grimaud

I am studying neuroscience and behavior on the pre-health track. I am from Orlando, Florida, but on campus I live in Ryan Hall. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and traveling.

Solbee Kang

I am a curious electrical engineering student with a passion for sustainable solutions that enrich lives. I am originally from South Korea but attended boarding school since eighth grade in Massachusetts and Connecticut and currently reside in California. In high school, I worked on projects that addressed food insecurity and issues with the local food system, where I learned that sustainable solutions to complex, real-world problems necessitate interdisciplinary thinking. With a strong base in STEM, I am integrating STEM and liberal arts education at Notre Dame to contribute to sustainable solutions to the pressing issues of the world.

Kaza-Zack Kazirukanyo

I am from Roodepoort, South Africa, pursuing a chemical engineering degree at Notre Dame, where I am a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar and McNeill Common Good Fellow. Before Notre Dame, I spearheaded a financial literacy student enterprise, authored a research paper examining climate change and energy dynamics across Africa, and received national academic accolades. At Notre Dame, I have served as the director of the student government department of Diversity and Inclusion: Race & Ethnicity, where I harnessed the power of ubuntu—”I am because you are”—toward an inclusive “home under the dome.”

Eoin Mcloughlin

I’m from Dublin, Ireland, and am studying business analytics at Notre Dame. I have a deep passion for entrepreneurship and all things business.

Gray Nocjar

I am from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and am majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in journalism, ethics and democracy. I have been a lifelong fan of the Fighting Irish and knew I wanted to be where I am now since as far back as I can remember. I enjoy researching the history of Notre Dame; writing news stories; collecting coins, pens, and sea glass; and going on runs with friends.

Natalie Sheridan

I am from Appleton, Wisconsin, and am a majoring in sociology with minors in poverty studies and data science.

Sakura Yamanaka

I am a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar majoring in political science and applied computational mathematics and statistics. I am from New York City and now live in McGlinn Hall. On campus, I am the director of community outreach for Notre Dame Student Government and vice president of the Notre Dame Figure Skating Team. In my free time, you can find me hammocking with friends, making DIY DH-meals (shoutout Nutella quesadilla!), or buying everything at Trader Joes.