I’m pleased to introduce the four First Year advisers from the Center for Undergraduate Advising who are now embedded in the Mendoza Undergraduate Studies Office. They joined our team this semester in the wake of the dissolution of the College of First Year Studies, which was part of the University’s broader undergraduate core curriculum changes. 

Ardea Russo joined Notre Dame in 1999 as a graduate student in theology. Ardea has taught at ND since 2011, served as an advisor for the past three years, and is now the University's Faculty Honor Code Officer. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!) and an M.T.S. and Ph.D. at Notre Dame. Originally from Baltimore, she now lives in Granger with her husband, Nick, and two teenage boys, Justin and Jack. She loves traveling to Italy but not flying, as well as attempting to conquer the NY Times Sunday crossword.

Samantha Cloon previously was an adviser and retention coordinator in the undergraduate advising center at the University of Kansas, where she also earned her M.S.E. in higher education administration. She earned her B.A. from Notre Dame in psychology with a supplementary major in Italian in 2013. Samantha is originally from Strongsville, Ohio, but is excited to come back to her home under the Dome. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, reading, watching British television shows and cheering on the Irish with her husband, Reid (ND '13).

Drew Espeseth joined Notre Dame and the first year advising team in September 2019. He previously served as the honors program coordinator at the University of South Dakota, an academic adviser/lecturer at North Dakota State University and an assistant director in the Academic Support Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Originally from the small town (population 125) of Portal, North Dakota, Drew earned his B.S. in journalism and public relations and his M.Ed. in educational leadership from North Dakota State University in Fargo (Go Bison!). Outside of work, Drew enjoys live music and traveling – Norway is next on his bucket list. 

Sarah Priebe also joined the First Year Advising team in September 2019. Prior to this position, Sarah was a care and wellness consultant at Notre Dame for more than three years, providing support and resources to FYS and Graduate School students. She also previously served as an academic advisor for IUSB’s College of Health Sciences. Sarah earned a master’s in counseling and human services and a B.A. from the University of Dayton in 2004 (Go Flyers!). As a South Bend native, many of Sarah’s childhood memories include tailgating and attending Notre Dame football games with her father (JD ’71), a tradition she now shares. 

Their offices are located in the Undergraduate Studies suite (Mendoza 101).

Please welcome Ardea, Samantha, Drew and Sarah to the College!

In Notre Dame,
 
Martijn