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 and wellness skills of military spouses.
The renewed partnership will bring back two programs for their second cohorts: one focused on mental health and resilience, and the other on ethical leadership for professional development. These courses, developed and taught by 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 designed to equip military spouses with practical tools to navigate challenges and support their communities. The online content was created in collaboration with the university's Office of Digital Learning, part of Notre Dame Learning.
Verenice Castillo, MSAN President and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the continued collaboration, 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." She highlighted the importance of the programs in helping military spouses become "stronger leaders, trusted mentors, and compassionate advocates."
Sonia Howell, director of the Office of Digital Learning at Notre Dame, noted the rewarding nature of the partnership, saying, "It is deeply rewarding to know the courses are continuing to reach new cohorts of learners." The courses are exclusively available to LIMS by MSAN alumni, who come from every branch of service, including veteran and retiree spouses, as well as Gold Star and surviving spouses.
Since LIMS was founded in 2020, nearly 300 military spouses have graduated from its flagship Leadership Development Program. Graduates have gone on to become volunteers, advocates, and changemakers in their communities. The Ethical Leadership course covers topics such as conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making, aiming to foster resilient and flourishing communities. The mental health course series focuses on dispelling mental health myths, identifying risks common in military communities, and developing wellness skills for self and others.
The partnership is a multidisciplinary effort involving faculty and staff from ten organizations at Notre Dame, spearheaded by Notre Dame Research and supported by 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, the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, and the Mental Health Initiative.
This extension of the partnership underscores a shared commitment to supporting military families through education and empowerment. By providing these free, accessible programs, MSAN and Notre Dame are addressing critical needs for mental health support and leadership development within the military spouse community. The impact of these programs extends beyond individual participants, contributing to stronger families and communities. As the partnership continues, more military spouses will gain the skills and confidence to make a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others.
