Home Team
Institute for Social Concerns Home Team
Student leaders in the SOCO Home Team develop a range of initiatives, events, and projects that help extend the Institute’s commitment to justice and the common good. Student leaders aim to connect other Notre Dame students with opportunities engaging critical issues and topics related to justice and the work of the Institute for Social Concerns. Opportunities include student led dialogues, movie watches and discussions, visiting different neighborhoods and learning from South Bend local leaders, fun community building activities, creative arts activities, and more.
To receive emails from the SOCO Home Team about upcoming opportunities, contact Clare Hur at chur@nd.edu.
Upcoming Events
Don’t miss out on hearing our fantastic panel of South Bend Civic Leaders this Tuesday, March 4th, 5:30-6:30pm in the Andrews Auditorium of Geddes Hall.
We invite you to a special screening of Green Foot Soldiers: Homeless Children and Plastic World next Monday, March 3rd, at 7 pm in the Andrews Auditorium of Geddes Hall. Home Team hosts film producer, Hasan Reza, who created this impactful documentary about survival, resilience, and global awakening, highlighting the incredible life challenges and remarkable environmental contributions of children living in the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Learn about the Near Northwest Neighborhood during Small Business Sunday, March 2nd, 11am-1pm when we’ll meet with local small business leaders. Transportation and coffee provided. Register on the QR code below!
SOCO Home Team is hosting a series of student-led dialogues around challenging topics. “Building the Beloved Community: Am I the Problem?” will be the first dialogue on Tuesday, Feb 25, 5:30-6:45pm in B034 Geddes. RSVP via this form.
St. Margaret’s House Winter Walk: Join the SOCO Home Team to walk a mile in her shoes!
Sunday, February 16, 1pm. All walkers must RSVP on the link below. Meet at 1pm in Siegfried Circle.
Speed Friends: A PAL-entine’s Event, a great chance to make some new friends and do some crafting!
Wednesday, February 12, 5pm-7pm in LaFortune History Maker’s Room
Case for Love
This moving documentary inspires us to make a “Case for Love” during these politically tense days. Join us for pizza, a movie, and conversation Thursday, January 16th, 6 pm-8:30pm.
SOCO Holiday Office Hours
Learn about Spring Classes, Events, and Opportunities while enjoying hot cocoa, cookies, and candy canes: December 13, 12-2pm, Geddes Coffee House.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 30, 10am-noon. RSVP on the QR code below to learn more about the entrepreneurial work happening in the Near Northwest Neighborhood.
Beyond the Frame: Guided Creative Session
Maria Sedmak will lead us through a guided creative session using found poetry Saturday, December 7, 2-3:30pm in the First Floor Learning Commons of Raclin Murphy Museum of Art.
Election Watch: “Cast Your Hope!”
Tuesday, November 5, 8pm – 10pm in Geddes Coffee House. Join us for pizza and conversation!
“Just Mercy” Screening and Discussion: https://performingarts.nd.edu/event/17397/just-mercy-2019/
Thursday, October 17, 6:30pm DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
“Don’t Let Democracy Crumbl” lecture with political scientist Prof. David Campbell
Wednesday, October 16, 7pm-8pm in 138 DeBartolo Hall
Go and See: Trip to South Bend Farmer’s Market
Saturday, October 5, 9am to noon
RSVP Required
Turning Pages Turning History: Discussion on “Master Slave Husband Wife”
Friday, September 27, at 5:15pm after 4pm MVP lecture in McNeill Gallery. Hope to see you there!
Falling for Justice: Learn about Justice Opportunities on Campus and Decorate Cupcakes!
Monday, September 23, 7:30-8:30pm in the Geddes Hall Coffee House
Meet the 2024-2025 Home Team
Nicole Aguirre
My name is Nicole Aguirre, and I am a junior studying philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. I am originally from Chicago and now live in Joliet, Illinois. Through the CSC, I participated in the NDBridge program and spent an enriching summer in Uganda. I have also been involved in the Mass Incarceration Research Lab and am looking forward to taking the Art and Social Change course this fall. I joined the Home Team to help spread SOCO’s mission of responding to social concerns through unique education and immersive experiences. Fun fact about me, I am a gallery teacher at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art!
Brandon Behnke
My name is Brandon Behnke, and I’m a sophomore majoring in business analytics and film, television, and theatre. I’m from Brownsville, Texas, a small town right on the border with Mexico. I joined the Home Team to help create initiatives that bring justice-focused opportunities to the Notre Dame community. I’ve been involved in the RISE Hometown program at a homeless shelter in Brownsville, and plan to take the Art and Social Change course this fall. A fun fact about me: I live only a couple minutes away from a SpaceX launch site!
Rosie Binette
My name is Rosie Binette, and I am a sophomore studying neuroscience and behavior with minors in poverty studies and science and patient advocacy. I am originally from Westchester, New York. While I haven’t been involved in much through SOCO yet, I am excited to start taking courses for my minor, such as Mind and Society: Cognitive Science and Justice, and I will be participating in the Appalachia Seminar in the fall. I decided to join this team to spread applications of the Notre Dame mission to the student body through SOCO’s commitment to learning about and addressing social concerns. Lastly, a fun fact about me is that I love the outdoors and once slept in a backcountry igloo for a week!
Ethan Chiang
My name is Ethan Chiang, and I am a sophomore from Toronto, Canada, majoring in business analytics and global affairs. Through SOCO, I’ve participated in RISE South Bend and Appalachia Seminar. I joined the Home Team to help share the Center’s mission and commitment to the common good with the Notre Dame student body. Fun fact: I was born and grew up in Taiwan!
Mariana Esparza Torres
My name is Mariana Esparza Torres, and I am a junior majoring in political science with minors in civil and human rights and studio art. I’m originally from Durango, Mexico, but now live in El Reno, Oklahoma, off Route 66. I am so excited to join the Home Team this year! Last summer, I participated in the NDBridge program and had the opportunity to help amazing people in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I also participated in the SOCO and the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights’ Racial Justice in America course this past spring. I joined the Home Team because of SOCO’s commitment to working with communities in ways that have a great impact. A fun fact about me is that I love baking and cake decorating in my dorm’s kitchen!
Anita Feng
My name is Anita Feng, and I am a senior majoring in biological sciences with minors in sustainability and constitutional studies. I grew up between Seattle, Washington, and Shanghai, China, but am grateful to also be able to call Notre Dame home! In that spirit, I joined this team to help share the SOCO’s incredible resources and community with Notre Dame students who are in search of that “home” feeling. I have participated in the SOCO’s Organizing, Power, and Hope seminar as well as been a part of the pilot Home Team in the spring of 2023. A fun fact about me is that I studied abroad in Hong Kong last semester!
Clare Hur
My name is Clare Hur, and I’m a sophomore and global affairs major from Atlanta, Georgia. I have been involved with the Institute through RISE South Bend, Design for America, SOCO Dorm Representatives, and two justice education courses. After accumulating so many wonderful experiences with SOCO during my freshman year, I was motivated to join the Home Team to introduce more individuals to SOCO’s unique learning opportunities and tight-knit community. A fun fact about me is that my older brother, younger sister, and I are all currently studying global affairs at Notre Dame!
Katherine Lieberth
My name is Katherine Lieberth and I am a sophomore majoring in American studies and economics. I’m from Glens Falls, New York, and I’m so excited to be a part of the Home Team this year! Last fall, I participated in RISE South Bend and took The History of Labor in America with Professor Dan Graff. In the summer of 2024 I participated in NDBridge at the Gatoto School in Nairobi, Kenya. I joined the Home Team because I strongly believe in SOCO’s mission and I want to make other students aware of the wonderful opportunities at the Institute. I also have met some of my favorite people through SOCO programs and I want to continue to be involved in the community. A fun fact about me is that I know how to crochet!
Grace Lynch
My name is Grace Lynch, and I am a junior from Sullivan, Illinois. I am majoring in political science with minors in poverty studies and public service. I joined the Home Team because the Institute for Social Concerns changed my college experience before I even started my first day of classes. I want all students to experience the tight-knit community and justice-oriented opportunities the Institute for Social Concerns offers. Through the Institute for Social Concerns, I have embarked on the Racial Justice in America immersion, traveled out of the country with NDBridge, and discerned my callings. A fun fact about me is that I have eaten three types of insects for protein!
Jasmine Williams
My name is Jasmine Williams, and I am from New Orleans, Louisiana—home to some of the best culture and food. I am a sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-med track and looking forward to being a part of the SOCO Home Team! I joined this team to help come up with creative and fun ways to bring awareness to social issues within our many communities on Notre Dame’s campus, as well as off-campus. I also hope to join the Appalachia Seminar this upcoming fall semester. One little fun fact about me is that I can cry on cue. It’s the theater kid in me.
Questions?
Contact Felicia Johnson O’Brien with any questions at f.obrien@nd.edu.