The Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) has announced the extension of its partnership with the University of Notre Dame through 2027 for the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses (LIMS) by MSAN. This collaboration, which began in 2025, will bring a second cohort of two specialized programs: one focused on building resilience and mental health skills, and the other on ethical leadership for professional development. These free, virtual courses are designed exclusively for LIMS alumni, reflecting a shared commitment to empowering military spouses with tools to create lasting change in their families and communities.
The courses are developed and presented 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. The online content is designed in partnership with the university's Office of Digital Learning, part of Notre Dame Learning. This multidisciplinary project involves faculty and staff from 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, and others.
"I am incredibly excited and deeply grateful to welcome the University of Notre Dame back to the MSAN family," said Verenice Castillo, MSAN President and CEO. "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. Through the Ethical Leadership and Mental Health Wellness program, we are equipping military spouses to serve as stronger leaders, trusted mentors, and compassionate advocates who will continue making a profound difference in their families and communities."
Sonia Howell, director of the Office of Digital Learning, noted, "When we worked with members of the Notre Dame faculty to develop these two non-credit offerings for MSAN, it was with the goal of serving as many military spouses as possible. It is deeply rewarding to know the courses are continuing to reach new cohorts of learners."
Since its inception in 2020, nearly 300 military spouses have graduated from the LIMS flagship Leadership Development Program, representing every branch of service, including veteran and retiree spouses and Gold Star and surviving spouses. Graduates have become passionate volunteers, advocates, and changemakers. The Ethical Leadership course covers conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making. The mental health course series aims to dispel mental health myths, identify risks common in military communities, and develop skills for wellness and self-care.
The extension of this partnership is significant because it underscores a sustained commitment to supporting military spouses, who often face unique challenges related to frequent relocations, deployments, and mental health stressors. By providing advanced training in leadership and wellness, MSAN and Notre Dame are investing in the resilience and effectiveness of military families, which in turn strengthens the overall military community. As the partnership continues, it is poised to have a lasting impact on the lives of military spouses and the communities they serve.
