Creating a scholarly home for justice

A group of students will begin meeting this February to develop student-led programming on justice for other undergraduates. Interdisciplinary in nature, the group will consist of 14 students across levels, colleges, and program participation at the center. They will be charged with engaging students in a variety of ways that will further the center’s commitment of justice.

The idea for the student group originated last fall. “Many students are eager to take a more active role in building a more just society in their community right now, not when they graduate or when they get a job,” said Amber Herkey, assistant program director at the center who will serve as a resource for the group. As students, members of the group will be able to more easily define what issues students at the University are thinking about. “Students have a gift there because they know what is interesting to their community,” Herkey said.

With this in mind, 40 students met last November to brainstorm ideas for the group and how it can create community and collaboration among students. They first envisioned what a scholarly home for justice––defined as a place where community and caring overlap with skills and theory––would look like. Next they developed ideas for how a student leadership group at the center could contribute to developing the center as this home. The list of ideas was long––ranging from hosting a documentary viewing or faculty talk to providing direction for other students wishing to be involved in the South Bend community. 

The flow of ideas last fall confirmed the need to create a student group that would welcome and provide programming to other students around justice topics. "I really hope this team will help to connect students to the Center who wouldn't otherwise find their way to its many opportunities, and I hope that it helps all students find something in the Center that enriches their Notre Dame experience," said Aidan Creeron, a senior at Notre Dame and a part of the group of spring 2023. Students will define the scope of this paid group and the work they will do this semester. The pilot team of students includes Aidan Creeron, Alyssa Sutanto, Anita Feng, Chaney Fix, Declan Ryan-Lawton, Fabrice Uwihirw, Grace Lynch, Isaac Bernsten, Jun Wei Lee, Mariana Aguilar, Mary Jordan, Monica Caponigro, Regi Hammond, and Sofia Casillas. They will meet weekly this spring and begin hosting events and other initiatives open to all students in the coming months.