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 empower military spouses with leadership and wellness skills. The renewed partnership will bring second cohorts for two specialized courses: one focused on mental health resilience and the other on ethical leadership, both developed and taught by Notre Dame faculty.
The courses are part of LIMS by MSAN, an initiative dedicated to education, empowerment, and support for military spouses. Since its founding in 2020, nearly 300 military spouses have graduated from the flagship Leadership Development Program, representing all branches of service, including veteran and retiree spouses, as well as Gold Star and surviving spouses. The new programs are exclusively available to LIMS alumni, aiming to further equip them with tools to navigate challenges and foster stronger communities.
“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.”
The Ethical Leadership course, developed by the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, covers topics such as conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making. The mental health course series, created by the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families and the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, aims to dispel mental health myths, identify risks common in military communities, and promote wellness for spouses, families, and peers. Both courses are delivered through the university's Office of Digital Learning, part of Notre Dame Learning.
Sonia Howell, director of the Office of Digital Learning, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's reach. “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.”
The partnership is a multidisciplinary campus project involving faculty and staff from ten organizations at Notre Dame, including Notre Dame Research, the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs, the College of Arts and Letters, the Mendoza College of Business, and the Mental Health Initiative. This broad collaboration underscores the university's commitment to serving military families and advancing leadership education.
The importance of this announcement lies in its potential impact on military spouse well-being and community strength. By providing advanced training in ethical leadership and mental health, the program addresses critical needs within military communities, where spouses often face unique stressors and challenges. Graduates are better equipped to support themselves and others, fostering resilience and positive change. This continuation also highlights the value of cross-sector partnerships between nonprofits and higher education institutions in delivering meaningful resources to underserved populations.
For more information about LIMS and its programs, visit the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses website. Follow LIMS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more about the University of Notre Dame at nd.edu.
