Meet Notre Dame Mendoza’s MBA Class Of 2025

A snowman in front of the Word of Life Mural, commonly known as Touchdown Jesus. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)

P&Q: What are some key elements in your teaching of leadership? What types of options does your school offer that deepens student experience with leadership and makes them more competitive in the marketplace?

Sweeney: “Over the past few years, our faculty has worked to develop and hone a more Notre Dame approach to leadership that now uses the framework of Tender, Strong, and True, borrowing a key phrase from our alma mater. This approach incorporates perspectives on people, performance, and purpose to create a holistic view of leadership for today’s business world. This kicks off in our Leadership Launch at the very start of the program, with key themes being mirrored in certain core classes throughout the first year of the program. A new Leadership Lunch series continues these themes throughout the experience. For practical leadership opportunities, many of our students take on leadership roles in one of our 20 MBA clubs or the MBA Association. These opportunities allow students to be hands on in shaping the experience and culture of the program.”

P&Q: How does Mendoza infuse its Catholic values and mission across its curriculum? Give us an example of this approach in one course or activity?

Sweeney: “The Catholic values of Notre Dame inform a core mission that focuses on business being a positive force in the world. While our students and faculty represent a wide range of faith traditions, a key set of universal principles carry through as they relate to business. At its core, business is a service to humankind. Business is ultimately a tool and how you use the tool matters. Throughout history, it has been proven to be one of the most powerful forces for good in the world. It has also been a tool for personal gain, sometimes leading to personal or societal harm.

One of the best examples of how Mendoza uses business as a positive force is through the Meyer Business on the Frontlines Program. This suite of experiential, service-learning courses partners with for-profit and non-profit organizations working in communities impacted by wicked problems such as deep poverty, conflict, illicit economies, and isolation. Through these locally based partners, our students have the opportunity to make recommendations that harness the dynamism of business to set the conditions for economic growth and to create livelihoods in these communities. These international and domestic projects provide a unique ability to have impact in communities thousands of miles from campus and just around the corner in Indiana.”

047 Faith is an important part of the Notre Dame MBA student journey. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes provides a place of reflection and prayer for those seeking a quiet moment. (Photo by Peter Ringenberg Photography)

P&Q: What is your biggest student-run event of the year and what does it reflect about your school?

Sweeney: “The biggest student-run event of the year is the Grow the Good Gala. Led by our MBA students, this event brings together students from across our graduate programs, as well as staff and faculty, to put into action the mission of the college to use the skills of business to have a positive impact on society and each other. This year’s Gala proceeds will support Mercy Works, which encourages and facilitates direct service into the South Bend community through a wide engagement of organizations working with adults and children in need. In addition to the formal Gala event itself, this year’s lead up and fundraising efforts included multiple hands-on service opportunities for our students and a Canstruction competition to benefit Hope Ministries’ soup kitchen and the Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry. This year’s Gala and silent auction raised over $17,000 for Mercy Works.

A very close second to the Grow the Good Gala is the Heritage Ball. This beautiful and colorful event serves as a showcase for the wide array of cultures, communities, and backgrounds found within the program. Between static displays, live performances, and signature attire from around the world, the evening serves as a celebration of the unique backgrounds that the students bring from 31 different countries and coast to coast across the US.”

P&Q: How does Mendoza leverage its alumni base to enhance the learning and opportunities available to MBA students?

Sweeney: “We are fortunate to have one of the most powerful alumni networks in the world. While there are countless organic opportunities for students to engage with alumni, a couple critical points of engagement for the network are related to recruiting and our Mod Away study opportunities. Early in the program, the Career Deep Dives bring alumni in industry back to campus for a closer look at the variety of career paths that exist, even within a particular industry. For example, within Consulting, it’s helpful to hear from alumni with direct experience in M&A consulting, management or strategy, technology, HR, or information systems. These first-hand perspectives also lend insights to recruiting processes and culture at different firms.

Students have the opportunity to spend seven weeks living and studying in Santiago, Chile or in Silicon Valley. Through these experiences, the alumni network is activated in their native setting as students have the opportunity to engage with locally based alumni in Finance and Technology. In Silicon Valley, alumni guest speakers easily pop into class from Meta and Cisco, while project-based coursework pairs students with alumni at companies such as Google and Visa. A locally based advisory board is also available for more targeted networking and engagement throughout the experience. These are just two of the many ways that Notre Dame alumni connect and give back to current MBA students.”

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