Sponsor Spotlight: University of Notre Dame, Office of the Provost

Interview by Connor Keaveney, enFocus Innovation Fellow and project leader

Jim Morrison, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame details enFocus' planning efforts for a new experiential learning office to benefit industry in the South Bend - Elkhart region.

What was your initial reasoning for partnering with enFocus? What were your expectations and/or hopes?

The Provost's Office at Notre Dame is currently focused on several important innovation projects to enhance the connection of the University's academic and research capabilities with the workforce and R&D needs of the South Bend-Elkhart region.  We approached enFocus about a partnership as we were in need of talented staff who could help us design and execute on several projects that we simply did not have the bandwidth to support.  enFocus has quickly made a name for itself in the community, so we knew we would be getting value-add partner on these important projects.

What was it like working with enFocus?

The shift of attention by so many staff due to the pandemic response and our virtual mode of engagement made implementation of new projects much harder this past year, but we were fortunate to have such talented enFocus Fellows in Connor Keaveney and Stephen Kabele.

Can you describe what enFocus did? What is the greatest value enFocus delivered to you?

Connor and Stephen provided excellent project management skills and were effective in navigating through complex problems as we developed a strategic plan for a new experiential learning office at Notre Dame that will eventually benefit our regional industry in exciting new ways.

Why should an organization consider working with enFocus?

Beyond the project innovation support enFocus can provide your organization, I am not sure you can find a more talented, professional group of emerging leaders in our state.

Learn more about enFocus' work with regional organizations in our next Sponsor Spotlight.