Leah Zimmer honored with Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award

Leah Zimmer, director of International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) at Notre Dame International, is the recipient of the Dick and Peggy Notebaert Award. The honor is given during graduation to a faculty member or administrator who has had a significant positive impact on graduate student development.

As director of ISSA, Zimmer leads a team committed to celebrating and supporting Notre Dame’s international student community by way of welcome and advocacy, and is devoted to ensuring students and scholars subject to visa and immigration laws can access efficient, personable immigration advising that helps them understand their responsibilities.

Zimmer is being recognized for her tireless efforts on behalf of international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, as demonstrated by the creative programming organized by ISSA, her sustained commitment to students and scholars whose research takes them abroad, and her dedication as a mentor and adviser to students who are navigating a complicated and constantly changing immigration landscape.

“It is my honor to recognize the tremendous good work that Leah has performed on behalf of our international students and scholars, not only this past year, but in her many years in her role. Her engagement and advocacy, as well as the creativity and persistence she brings to problem solving, have had a tremendous impact on those she serves,” says Laura Carlson, vice president, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School.

“By honoring Leah, and the International Student and Scholar Affairs team that she leads, we emphasize the richness brought to Notre Dame by the students and postdocs she and her office welcome and sustain.”

The Dick and Peggy Notebaert award recognizes significant contributions to graduate training, including, but not limited to: building a graduate program; securing training grants to fund graduate students; serving with excellence as a director of graduate studies or as graduate administrative assistant; and developing programming or support systems for graduate students. Applications for the 2022 cycle will open soon.