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 brings a second cohort of two specialized programs—one focused on ethical leadership and the other on mental health wellness—to military spouses, reinforcing MSAN's commitment to strengthening military families through education and support.
Since its inception in 2020, LIMS has graduated nearly 300 military spouses from its flagship Leadership Development Program. Graduates represent every branch of service, including veteran and retiree spouses, as well as Gold Star and surviving spouses. These alumni have become passionate volunteers, advocates, and changemakers in their communities. The two new programs are exclusively available to LIMS alumni, providing them with advanced tools to navigate challenges and further develop their leadership capabilities.
The Ethical Leadership course, developed by the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, covers topics such as conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making. The mental health course series, created by faculty from the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families and the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, aims to dispel mental health myths, identify risks common in military communities, and build skills for promoting wellness and resilience.
Verenice Castillo, MSAN President and CEO, expressed gratitude for the university's continued investment: "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 at Notre Dame, noted the rewarding nature of reaching new cohorts: "It is deeply rewarding to know the courses are continuing to reach new cohorts of learners."
The partnership involves a multidisciplinary effort across 10 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, Notre Dame Learning's Office of Digital Learning, and others. This collaboration ensures the courses are delivered effectively through virtual platforms, designed in partnership with the university's Office of Digital Learning.
The extension of this partnership underscores the importance of providing military spouses with accessible, high-quality training that fosters leadership and resilience. By equipping military spouses with these skills, MSAN and Notre Dame are helping to create stronger military families and communities. The programs reflect a shared mission to empower military spouses as trusted mentors and compassionate advocates, capable of making a profound difference in their families and communities.
For more information about LIMS and its programs, visit Leadership Institute for Military Spouses. For more on the University of Notre Dame, visit Notre Dame.
