The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) has announced the continuation of its partnership with the University of Notre Dame for the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) by MSAN through 2027. This collaboration, which began in 2025, provides free, virtual training programs designed to enhance the leadership skills and mental wellness of military spouses. The renewed partnership will bring second cohorts for two specialized courses: one focusing on ethical leadership for professional development, and the other on promoting resilience and mental health.
The courses, developed and taught by Notre Dame faculty from the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, are part of a broader effort to support military families. The online content was crafted in partnership with the university's Office of Digital Learning, which is part of Notre Dame Learning. This multidisciplinary project involves collaboration from ten university organizations, spearheaded by Notre Dame Research, with support from the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza College of Business, and others.
Verenice Castillo, MSAN President and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the continued partnership, stating, "Their continued investment in our military spouse community and the return of this transformative training reflect a shared commitment to empowering military spouses with the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills to create lasting change." Sonia Howell, director of the Office of Digital Learning, also noted the rewarding nature of reaching new cohorts of learners with these non-credit offerings.
Since its inception in 2020, nearly 300 military spouses have graduated from the flagship Leadership Development Program, with alumni from every branch of service, including veteran, retiree, Gold Star, and surviving spouses. These specialized courses are exclusively available to LIMS alumni, equipping them with tools to navigate challenges and further their impact in their communities. The Ethical Leadership course covers conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making, while the mental health series addresses dispelling myths, identifying risks, and developing wellness skills for themselves and their families.
The MSAN-Notre Dame partnership represents a significant investment in the military spouse community, providing valuable resources that foster leadership and resilience. By extending this collaboration, both organizations underscore their dedication to supporting those who serve alongside our nation's military members.
