Fighting poverty: research helping our communities

From Notre Dame Stories by Notre Dame Stories

March 24, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how Notre Dame's research is addressing poverty through policy changes and community programs.

This podcast episode features Heather Reynolds, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative and the Michael L. Smith Managing Director, Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), who shares how Notre Dame’s research has shaped policy changes—such as expanding access to high school diplomas for adults—and helped nonprofits implement programs that truly work. With more than 100 projects in 30 states, LEO’s evidence-based approach is cutting through political divides to create solutions that lift people out of poverty. We’re also joined by Tracy Kijewski-Correa, the William J. Pulte Director of the Keough School’s Pulte Institute for Global Development. She discusses how her experiences—from being a first-generation student at Notre Dame to leading post-disaster rebuilding efforts—have shaped her work in helping communities build resilience. She also explains how the Keough School’s approach to poverty extends beyond economic hardship, addressing social, psychological, and environmental challenges to foster true human flourishing. By collaborating with policymakers, local leaders, and global networks, Notre Dame is bridging the gap between poverty research and…

People in this episode

Guests: Heather Reynolds, Tracy Kijewski-Correa

Topics covered

poverty
education
community resilience
policy change
economic opportunities
nonprofit programs

Keywords

poverty
education
community
research
policy
resilience
nonprofits
economic opportunities

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Notre Dame Poverty Initiative, Keough School, Pulte Institute for Global Development, Notre Dame