ND Listens

ND Listens is a unique public relations and communications organization operating out of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 2017, this student-staffed telecommunications center focuses on maintaining and strengthening relationships between the university and its extended community of alumni, parents, and friends. Unlike traditional PR agencies that serve external clients, ND Listens functions as an in-house engagement hub for the Notre Dame family, leveraging student callers to keep the university community connected through personalized outreach.

How ND Listens Engages the Notre Dame Community

ND Listens reimagines the way the university stays in touch with its global network. Rather than relying on mass emails or generic newsletters, the center uses direct phone calls from current students to create meaningful connections. This approach has proven effective: within three years of founding, the team increased its call pick-up rate from 2% to 20%, a tenfold improvement that speaks to the quality of its outreach. The center's efforts have also contributed to raising Notre Dame to third in the country for undergraduate alumni participation, a key metric of donor and community engagement. ND Listens does not simply broadcast information; it fosters dialogue, listening to alumni and parents while sharing updates about campus life, events, and opportunities.

Services and Capabilities of ND Listens

As a student-run telecommunications center, ND Listens offers a range of engagement services tailored to the university's needs. While specific service offerings are not detailed in the available data, the center's core functions likely include:

• Phone-based alumni and donor outreach campaigns
• Relationship maintenance with parents and friends of the university
• Event promotion and registration support for on-campus activities
• Video messaging and digital content to supplement phone calls
• Data collection and feedback gathering from the Notre Dame community
• Stewardship communications to strengthen long-term ties

These services align with the center's mission to keep the Notre Dame family connected, whether through sharing news, soliciting input, or encouraging participation in university initiatives. ND Listens is described as the first collegiate engagement center of its kind, setting a precedent for how universities can blend personal outreach with modern communication tools.

Location and Unique Position

Headquartered at 100 Eck Ctr, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556, ND Listens is physically based on the University of Notre Dame's campus in the United States. This location gives it direct access to students who serve as callers, as well as to the university's broader engagement infrastructure. The center's position as a student-staffed operation allows it to bring authenticity and enthusiasm to its outreach, as callers share their own experiences as current students. ND Listens operates with a focus on quality over quantity, using training and scripting to ensure each call feels personal and genuine. For the Notre Dame community, this means interactions that feel less like solicitation and more like a conversation with a fellow member of the family.

Who ND Listens Is a Good Fit For

ND Listens is an excellent fit for the University of Notre Dame's alumni relations and development departments, as well as any university unit seeking to deepen engagement with its extended community. Its model works well for organizations that value personal connection and have a clear, mission-driven message to share. While not a traditional PR agency serving external clients, ND Listens demonstrates how a focused, student-powered approach can yield impressive results in building loyalty and participation. For other universities or nonprofits looking to replicate its success, ND Listens offers a compelling case study in reimagining outreach. Its track record of improving pick-up rates and alumni participation makes it a standout example of how effective communication can strengthen institutional bonds.