Rev. James Lies, C.S.C., appointed interim senior director for academic initiatives and partnerships at the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England

Notre Dame International is appointing Rev. James Lies, C.S.C. to a one-year term as interim senior director for academic initiatives and partnerships at the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England. Effective on July 1, 2020, Fr. Lies will provide academic leadership for the Gateway’s academic and research initiatives, while strengthening academic partnerships for Notre Dame’s faculty and students. A priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Fr. Lies will provide local leadership to advance global scholarship in conjunction with campus and Notre Dame’s global network. In his new role, he will also collaborate with campus and local University partners to identify research opportunities and provide oversight for the G.K. Chesterton Collection, which was recently acquired by the London Global Gateway.

“Fr. Lies’s rich experience with the London Global Gateway and its stellar team, in addition to his dedicated work in support of the University’s Catholic mission, will provide new pathways for advancing research and educational opportunities for Notre Dame’s faculty and students in London, the U.K., and beyond,” says Jonathan Noble, senior assistant provost for internationalization.

Since fall of 2017, Fr. Lies has served as director for Catholic initiatives and outreach in London. He helped deepen the links between the London Global Gateway and the local church, the Archdioceses of Westminster and Southwark, and other educational institutions. He also facilitated local, regional, and international conferences, lectures, and symposia on Catholic thought, history, culture, and social teaching.

“Notre Dame International is grateful for the partnership with the Congregation of Holy Cross in enabling Fr. Lies to deepen our work in London and throughout the UK with important ecclesial, educational, and cultural partners,” says Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization.

Fr. Lies will continue developing those relationships as he transitions into the interim role, providing academic continuity and leadership in London as the academic director term comes to a close. He will work closely with Joshua Copeland, executive director in London, to ensure the continuity of academic initiatives and programming, and remain in conversation with NDI senior leadership, faculty, and deans to support and enhance a range of faculty research and teaching opportunities at the Gateways.

The London Global Gateway is part of the University of Notre Dame’s global network. Notre Dame International oversees Global Gateways centered in Beijing, Dublin, Jerusalem, London, and Rome. The Gateways create unique opportunities for Notre Dame to engage the world and the world to engage Notre Dame through scholarly collaboration, undergraduate and graduate study, as well as cooperative programs with governments, foundations, corporations, alumni, parents, and friends of the University. NDI also leads six Global Centers located in Santiago, São Paulo, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and at Kylemore Abbey in western Ireland. A simpler infrastructure, the Global Centers focus on a more defined geographical area to facilitate academic and cultural programming and exchanges.

The University of Notre Dame (USA) in England is hosting the services of the London Global Gateway.

Contact: Colleen Wilcox, Notre Dame International, cwilcox1@nd.edu