About

Thomas Fuja, Ph.D., Interim Vice President and Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor of Electrical Engineering

Thomas Fuja was named interim vice-president and associate provost for graduate studies and interim dean of the Graduate School effective June 1, 2022.

Fuja came to Notre Dame in 1998 as a member of the engineering faculty; he served for 12 years (2006-2018) as chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and for two years (2018-2020) as interim dean of the College of Engineering. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, Fuja spent 11 years at the University of Maryland, with two of those years in a temporary role at the U.S. National Science Foundation as the program director for communications research.

Prof. Fuja’s research focuses on digital communications, more specifically on structures and algorithms that enable the reliable transmission of information over inherently unreliable and/or constrained channels, especially in the context of wireless systems.  He is an active member of his technical community, having served as president of the Information Theory Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE) as well as a member of its Board of Governors and associate editor of its flagship journal. In 2004, Fuja was elected a Fellow of the IEEE with the citation, “For contributions to error control coding.” Fellow status is a designation that can be awarded to no more that 0.1% of the IEEE membership in any year.

Fuja also serves as Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs, Notre Dame’s platform for collaboration with regional industry.  Launched with a grant from the Lilly Endowment in 2019, iNDustry Labs is a “front door” to Notre Dame that leverages two of the region’s most powerful economic drivers – its high density of manufacturing companies and a tier-1 research university.

 

Contact Us

110 Bond Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
Fax: (574) 631-4183

Graduate Admissions 
Phone: (574) 631-7706
Email: GradApp@nd.edu

Graduate Enrollment and Training
Phone: (574) 631-7544
Email: GradSch@nd.edu

Consult the Org Chart for the Graduate School.

 

Bond Hall

Bond Hall Emergency Action Plan
(PDF; last update: January 2022)

Dean's Office

  • Thomas Fuja, Ph.D.

    Interim Vice President and Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate School, Professor of Electrical Engineering

    Thomas Fuja

    Thomas Fuja, Ph.D.

    Interim Vice President and Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate School, Professor of Electrical Engineering

    (574) 631-8052
    tfuja@nd.edu

    • Voice of the Graduate School
    • Innovation in Graduate Training
    • Strategic Planning and Development
    • Graduate Program Assessment
    • Policy and Program Design
    Thomas Fuja
  • Christal Colbert

    Officer Assistant

    Christal Colbert

    Christal Colbert

    Officer Assistant

    (574) 631-8052
    ccolbert@nd.edu

    • Officer Assistant to the Dean
    • Calendaring Advisory Council (Fall and Spring Meetings)
    • Coordinate Provost Committee Meetings (Academic Council, ND Lead, PAC, UCWFS)
    Christal Colbert
  • Eric Heath

    Program Manager for Assessment, Data Analytics and Strategic Initiatives

    Eric Heath

    Eric Heath

    Program Manager for Assessment, Data Analytics and Strategic Initiatives

    (574) 631-0160
    eheath2@nd.edu

    • Data collection and interpretation 
    • Data visualization and analysis
    • Strategic Planning
    • Partner with academic communicators across the University
    Eric Heath
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Academic Affairs for Graduate Students and Postdocs; Ethics & Leadership Training

  • John Lubker, Ed.D.

    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

    John Lubker

    John Lubker, Ed.D.

    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

    (574)-631-5778
    jlubker1@nd.edu

    • Graduate School Ombudsperson
    • Administration of Graduate School Policies, Procedures, and Appeals
    • Oversight of Graduate Student Progress
    • Graduate Student Leadership Development and Training
    • Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
    John Lubker
  • Diana Dickson

    Program Coordinator, Office for Postdoctoral Affairs

    Diana Dickson

    Diana Dickson

    Program Coordinator, Office for Postdoctoral Affairs

    (574) 631-8208
    ddickson@nd.edu

    • Postdoctoral Scholars
    • Research Associates
    • Visiting Scholars
    • Research Visitors
    • Senior Research Associates
    Diana Dickson
  • Allan Loup, J.D.

    Assistant Program Director, Ethics

    Allan Loup

    Allan Loup, J.D.

    Assistant Program Director, Ethics

    574-631-7446
    aloup@nd.edu

    • Ethics Program
    • Responsible Conduct of Research
    • Professional Development
    Allan Loup
  • Jordan Rodgers, Ph.D.

    Coordinator, Office for Postdoctoral Affairs

    Jordan Rodgers

    Jordan Rodgers, Ph.D.

    Coordinator, Office for Postdoctoral Affairs

    (574) 631-2087
    jrodger1@nd.edu

    • Postdoctoral Scholars
    • Research Associates
    • Visiting Scholars
    • Research Visitors
    • Senior Research Associates
    Jordan Rodgers
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Finance & Operations

  • Matthew Anderson

    Director of Finance, Operations and Planning

    Matthew Anderson

    Matthew Anderson

    Director of Finance, Operations and Planning

    (574) 631-3801
    manders4@nd.edu

    • Strategic Planning and Projects
    • Student Funding Administration
    • External Fellowship Administration
    • Fellowship Stewardship
    • Professional Development
    • Recruiting Funds to Programs
    Matthew Anderson
  • Aaron Bell

    Graphic Designer, Communications Specialist

    Aaron Bell

    Aaron Bell

    Graphic Designer, Communications Specialist

    (574) 631-9395
    aaronbell@nd.edu

    • Social Media
    • Graphic Design
    • Premium Content Development
    • Design Work for Graduate Programs
    Aaron Bell
  • Christina Elfar

    Events Specialist

    Christina Elfar

    Christina Elfar

    Events Specialist

    574-531-3195
    celfar@nd.edu

    • Planning and executing large-scale/signature Graduate School events (e.g., Commencment, 3MT, etc.)
    • Support for internal events (e.g., conferences, gallery exhibitions, and outside speakers).
    Christina Elfar
  • Kelly Donndelinger

    Assistant Director for Finance

    Kelly Donndelinger

    Kelly Donndelinger

    Assistant Director for Finance

    (574) 631-8422
    kdonndel@nd.edu

    • Steward financial awards: health insurance subsidies, tuition scholarships, NSF GRFPs
    • Review/approve graduate stipends and hourly jobs; student employment policy compliance
    • Monitor graduate program stipend budgets; provide ad hoc reporting
    • Administer Graduate School professional development awards cycle and budget
    • Administer tenure and tenure-track reappointment and promotion cycle (Provost Office)
    Kelly Donndelinger
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Graduate Enrollment Management

  • Nyrée McDonald, Ph.D.

    Associate Dean, Graduate Enrollment Management

    Nyrée McDonald

    Nyrée McDonald, Ph.D.

    Associate Dean, Graduate Enrollment Management

    (574)-631-8421
    nmcdonal@nd.edu

    • Support Programs with Individual Recruitment Efforts and Admissions
    • Manage Online Application and Recruitment System
    • Dual Degree and Exchange Programs
    • Oversee Student Progress from Matriculation to Graduation
    Nyrée McDonald
  • John Lowery, Ph.D.

    Recruitment Strategies Program Director

    John Lowery

    John Lowery, Ph.D.

    Recruitment Strategies Program Director

    574 631 4694‬
    jlowery@nd.edu

    John Lowery
  • Mellisa Crisan

    Admissions Coordinator

    Mellisa Crisan

    Mellisa Crisan

    Admissions Coordinator

    (574) 631-5489
    mcrisan@nd.edu

    • A-L: Application Processing and Admission Decisions
    • A-L: Immigration Documentation
    • A-L: Creation of Live Student Records
    • Verification of All Applicant Data
    • Application System Updates
    Mellisa Crisan
  • Geoffrey Carter

    Recruitment Coordinator

    Geoffrey Carter

    Geoffrey Carter

    Recruitment Coordinator

    574-631-2811
    gcarter1@nd.edu

    • Manage Graduate School recruitment initiatives and schedule
    • Assist the associate dean for graduate enrollment management with coordination of meetings, travel, scheduling, and expense reports
    • Coordinate the Summer Research Opportunities Program 
    • Assist in application data maintenance 
    Geoffrey Carter
  • Shalon McClatchey

    Admissions Coordinator

    Shalon McClatchey

    Shalon McClatchey

    Admissions Coordinator

    (574) 631-4695
    smcclatc@nd.edu

    • M-Z: Application Processing and Admission Decisions
    • M-Z: Immigration Documentation
    • M-Z: Creation of Live Student Records
    • Verification of All Applicant Data
    • Slate Specialist
    • Slate: Manage User Accounts
    • Slate: One-on-One Training for Program Assistants/Coordinators
    Shalon McClatchey
  • Maureen Collins

    Program Director, Academic Services

    Maureen Collins

    Maureen Collins

    Program Director, Academic Services

    (574) 631-5926
    mcollin5@nd.edu

    • Add/Drops, Course Audits, and Grade Changes
    • Application to Degree Candidacy
    • E-forms
    • Graduation and Degree Audits
    • Leave of Absence
    • Reports (Graduate School)
    • Transfer of Credits
    Maureen Collins
  • Shari Hill Sweet

    Editor, Webmaster and Publications Manager

    Shari Hill Sweet

    Shari Hill Sweet

    Editor, Webmaster and Publications Manager

    (574) 631-7545
    shill2@nd.edu

    • Editor, Annual Policy Updates
    • Access to OnBase, GS Program Resources, Slate (back-up)
    • Graduate School Email Groups
    • Website Maintenance
    Shari Hill Sweet
  • Laura Patzschke

    Administrative and Dissertation Support Assistant

    Laura Patzschke

    Laura Patzschke

    Administrative and Dissertation Support Assistant

    (574) 631-7544
    lpatzsch@nd.edu

    • Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses
    • ProQuest/UMI Liaison
    • Dissertation and Thesis Access Requests
    • Dissertation and Thesis Submission Materials Processing
    • CurateND Metadata Maintenance
    • Front Desk Receptionist for the Graduate School
    Laura Patzschke
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Professional Development

  • Mary Ann McDowell, Ph.D.

    Associate Dean for Professional Development

    Mary Ann McDowell

    Mary Ann McDowell, Ph.D.

    Associate Dean for Professional Development

    (574) 631-9771
    mmcdowe1@nd.edu

    • Oversight of Graduate Student Grants and Fellowships
    • Strategic Leadership for Graduate Student Professional Development
    • Support Initiatives for Graduate Student Quality of Life and Well-Being
    • Policy Guidance for Mentorship Training

    In her role as a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Mary Ann McDowell specializes in research related to immunoparasitology and vector biology. Visit her faculty profile for more information.

    Mary Ann McDowell
  • Kayla Hurd

    Assistant Program Director, Office of Grants and Fellowships

    Kayla Hurd

    Kayla Hurd

    Assistant Program Director, Office of Grants and Fellowships

    (574) 631-2443
    khurd@nd.edu

    • Manage External Grant and Fellowship Selection Processes
    • Guide Students in Identifying and Obtaining Successful Extramural Funding
    • Proposal Writing and Development
    • Data Collection and Management 

    Kayla Hurd is a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology, and her research involves examining the health implications of eating grasshoppers in Mexico through biochemical, nutritional, and anthropological methodologies. Kayla is available to review both internal and external grants with a social science focus as well as STEM oriented proposals.

    Kayla Hurd
  • Michael Skalski, Ph.D.

    Assistant Program Director, Office of Grants and Fellowships

    Michael Skalski

    Michael Skalski, Ph.D.

    Assistant Program Director, Office of Grants and Fellowships

    (574) 631-1713
    mskalski@nd.edu

    • Manage External Grant and Fellowship Selection Processes
    • Guide Students in Identifying and Obtaining Successful Extramural Funding
    • Proposal Writing and Development
    • Data Collection and Management 

    Michael Skalski, Ph.D. is an assistant program director at the Graduate School’s Office of Grants and Fellowships at the University of Notre Dame. Michael offers help in grantsmanship, manages several prestigious fellowship competitions such as the Fulbright-Hays DDRA, and ensures that services provided by the office reflect the priorities of Notre Dame graduate students. Michael has experience with generating successful merit-based grant and fellowship applications. With background in history, international affairs, and foreign languages, he has worked as a researcher, instructor, and freelancer in academic publishing.

    Michael Skalski
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Valued Partner: Graduate Student Life

Graduate Student Life is part of the Division of Student Affairs. They partner with the Graduate School as advocates for Notre Dame's graduate students.

  • Mimi Beck

    Program Director, Graduate Student Life

    Mimi Beck

    Mimi Beck

    Program Director, Graduate Student Life

    (574) 631-1221
    mbeck1@nd.edu

    • Liaison Between Student Affairs and the Graduate School 
    • Quality of Life Programming and Advocacy
    • Resource and Service Referrals
    • Assessment and Strategic Planning for Graduate Student Life
    Mimi Beck
  • Laurie Hesch

    Administrative Assistant, Graduate Student Government

    Laurie Hesch

    Laurie Hesch

    Administrative Assistant, Graduate Student Government

    (574) 631-6963
    lhesch@nd.edu

    • Graduate Student Government (GSG) Point of Contact: gsu@nd.edu
    • Coordinates GSG Communications and Finances
    • Provides Bookkeeping Advice and Assistance to all Recognized Graduate Student Clubs
    Laurie Hesch
  • Joshua Wright, Ph.D.

    Postdoctoral Intern

    Joshua Wright

    Joshua Wright, Ph.D.

    Postdoctoral Intern


    jwrigh11@nd.edu

    • Assessment & Evaluation of Graduate Department Clubs
    • Creating & Piloting Peer Mentorship Programs
    • Analyzing Grad Life Data
    • Managing Grad Life Blog
    Joshua Wright
  • Julaine Zenkelberger, Ph.D.

    Program Coordinator

    Julaine Zenkelberger

    Julaine Zenkelberger, Ph.D.

    Program Coordinator

    (574) 631-9554
    jzenk1@nd.edu

    • Activities Liaison for all Graduate Clubs
    • Managing Grad Life Communications
    • Managing Writing Accountability Groups
    • Leading Grad Life Programming Efforts
    • Coordinating Programming for the Family Resource Center
    Julaine Zenkelberger
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Valued Partner: Graduate Career Services

Graduate Career Services is part of the Division of Student Affairs. They partner with the Graduate School on professional development programming and opportunities for Notre Dame's graduate students.

  • Dawn Rizek

    Associate Director of Grad Career Services

    Dawn Rizek

    Dawn Rizek

    Associate Director of Grad Career Services

    (574) 631-1704
    drizek@nd.edu

    • Graduate Career Services Strategic Leadership
    • Campus Stakeholder Interface 
    • Career and Professional Development

    Connect with Dawn: 

     

    Dawn Rizek
  • Ryan Kristofek

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Science

    Ryan Kristofek

    Ryan Kristofek

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Science

    574-631-1892
    rkristof@nd.edu

    • Career Exploration and Planning
    • Developing Career Skills and Capabilities
    • Career Programming and Professional Development
    • Networking with Alumni and Employers
    Ryan Kristofek
  • Christian Lehman

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Engineering

    Christian Lehman

    Christian Lehman

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Engineering

    (574) 631-2087
    clehman3@nd.edu

    • Career Exploration and Planning
    • Developing Career Skills and Capabilities
    • Career Programming and Professional Development
    • Networking with Alumni and Employers
    Christian Lehman
  • Thomas Meyers

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Arts and Letters

    Thomas Meyers

    Thomas Meyers

    Graduate Career Consultant, College of Arts and Letters

    (574) 631-2080
    tmeyers2@nd.edu

    • Career Exploration and Planning
    • Developing Career Skills and Capabilities
    • Career Programming and Professional Development
    • Networking with Alumni and Employers
    Thomas Meyers
  • Erik Oswald

    Graduate Career Consultant, Professional Master's Programs

    Erik Oswald

    Erik Oswald

    Graduate Career Consultant, Professional Master's Programs

    (574) 631-4424
    eoswald@nd.edu

    • Career Exploration and Planning
    • Developing Career Skills and Capabilities
    • Career Programming and Professional Development
    • Networking with Alumni and Employers
    Erik Oswald
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