Laura Connelly Email & Phone Number

Notre Dame, In, Us

Notre Dame, In, Us

• Advise the VP for Student Affairs on all matters, including strategic initiatives and goals, decision-making, policy creation and implementation, student engagement, staff morale and efforts related to diversity, equity and inclusion.• Chair an internal committee responsible for professional development and networking for 230+ staff members.• Co-lead two Advisory Committees for Student Climate related to race & ethnicity and LGBTQ+ students with the VP.• Co-chair the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Planning Committee within the Division of Student Affairs.• Analyze, interpret, and create action items in response to the ND Voice employee engagement survey results.• Regularly draft and send communications to the Division of Student Affairs staff on behalf of the Vice President.• Partner with the Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research to oversee student surveys; most notably the modification, administration, analysis and communication of all aspects related to the Inclusive Campus Student Survey.• Liaise with University Relations, including the Academic Advancement Director, to align fundraising opportunities with Divisional priorities, plan the agenda for and implement the annual Advisory Council weekend, and lead stewardship efforts for Student Affairs' benefactors.• Represent Student Affairs in the DEI Practitioners group led by the Office of Institutional Transformation.• In partnership with the Office of the Provost, staff the Notre Dame Board of Trustees committee on Undergraduate Education and Student Life; create meeting agendas with the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Provost and the Board Committee Chair; attend meetings and take minutes; and draft communications and presentations for Board members.• Instructor for Moreau First Year Experience Course, a required course for all first-year students that fosters personal development and informs students about a number of University resources.

• Plan and implement all aspects of housing assignments for more than 6,000 undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students.• Build occupancy reports to assist senior leaders in making data-driven decisions.• Create and interpret demographic reports to make informed and inclusive housing assignments, including accommodations for students with disabilities.• Improve communication and understandability of application and assignment processes for undergraduate students by writing clear, concise emails and maintaining website updates.• Collaborate and build relationships with several campus partners, including all Rectors, Accessibility Services, Notre Dame International, Enrollment, and Notre Dame Police Department.• Lead communications efforts for Residential Life; including writing and sending mass student emails and redesigning the Residential Life staff e-newsletter.• Implement new housing software and modify various housing processes for efficiency.• Serve on Housing Emergency On-Call rotation to conduct room searches and determine plans for temporary housing for students in crisis and/or their families.

• Develop and retain reports for historical reference and analysis.• Represented the University at professional conferences.• Provided back-up support and assistance for the Assistant Directors of Housing Operations.• Coordinated online leasing and contract processes to maximize housing occupancy.• Improved occupancy reporting and tracking methods through the use of Microsoft Excel.• Perform database management functions for housing operations. • Supervised housing front desk staff, student tour guides, and marketing interns.• Fostered mentor-mentee relationships and promoted leadership development for student staff.• Developed and managed social media presence for University Housing and retail district on campus.• Instructor for Mav1000, a course required for all first-year students.

Supervise and delegate work to administrative and technical report writing staff, write engineering test reports, act as liaison between engineers and clients, and incorporate client comments into reports to support the engineering department with proficiency and efficiency.

- Manage front desk employees’ schedules, conflicts and delegate tasks- Communicate with upper-level administrators to make housing policy decisions- Successfully use computer database with all residents’ leasing information (StarRez Systems)- Assisted leasing staff with leasing process to meet deadlines and ensure quality.- Provided outstanding customer service to diverse population.- Maintained organization of files and performed audits.

- Provided customer service and satisfaction by answering customers' housing questions and providing relevant housing paperwork- Explained and completed leasing paperwork with customers- Heavily utilized Microsoft Word, Excel, and UTA resident database

Write/edit press releases, pitch to media, distribute press releases to publications, create radio trafficking schedules, create and fulfill advertising insertion orders, count and record media clips, conduct internet research, maintain spreadsheets, other duties as assigned

- Conducted telephone surveys to Penn State students- Entered responses into computer database- Acquired professional telephone speaking skills- Complied with confidentiality regulations

Master’S Degree, Higher Education Administration

Public Relations, Marketing, Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Honors College, Student Alumni Association, UTA Peer Mentors, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Texas- Named.