Staff

  • Wendy Barnes

    Administrative Assistant

    Wendy Barnes

    Administrative Assistant

    Assoc of Applied Science - Ivy Tech Community College, Business Administration

    Wendy has worked in education in one form or another since 1992, from her role as the school secretary at the Stanley Clark School to her current position as the Administrative Assistant for Pre-College Programs.  She is the voice of Pre-College and is happy to answer any questions about the various programs.  She will also coordinate with the various departments on campus for our summer programs. Wendy has been with the University of Notre Dame since 2007.

    Wendy enjoys cooking for her family and friends, reading, and cheering on the Irish from her cozy living room.  

  • Leah Brucal

    Student Assistant

    Leah Brucal

    Student Assistant

    Leah is a current sophomore at Notre Dame, majoring in Science Pre-Professional Studies with minors in Compassionate Care in Medicine and Theology. Leah is a Pre-College alum and absolutely loves working with the program as a Course Facilitator, Resident Counselor and student assistant in the office. She enjoys her time working on research in the lab, reading and listening to underground music, going on walks around the lakes, and trying new places here at ND and around the world. 

     

    Favorite spot on campus: the Grotto or the Hayes Healy Globe Room!

    Best ND Tradition: singing the alma mater after every home football game! 

     

     

  • Karyme Grosso

    Media Content Specialist

    Karyme Grosso

    Media Content Specialist

    Karyme is a senior majoring in Visual Communication Design and minoring in Studio Art. When she’s not in Breen-Phillips Hall serving as a Resident Assistant or taking a nap in her room, she might be out and about on North Quad, one of her favorite spots on campus due to its proximity to her dorm and its abundance of good vibes, or in Riley Hall of Art working on an assignment and admiring other students' masterpieces. As a southern Texan who never experienced any real seasons growing up, one of her favorite Notre Dame traditions is that of the campus-wide snowball fight after the first major snowfall! Karyme loves anything crafty and creative and is a firm believer that North Dining Hall is the superior dining hall on campus. As the Media Content Specialist, Karyme can be found creating TikToks, hosting takeovers on Instagram, and keeping the designs coming for all things Notre Dame Pre-College! 

  • Kevin McAbee

    Associate Program Director and Compliance Program Manager

    Kevin McAbee

    Associate Program Director and Compliance Program Manager

    B.S. Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame
    M.S. Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University

     

    A 2001 Notre Dame graduate from the College of Science, Kevin works closely with our esteemed STEM and business course faculty. His other hat is that of Compliance Manager, and develops and maintains all legal and minors policies for Pre-College Programs. Kevin is a homegrown talent who enjoys the outdoors, live music and is an avid sports fan. You will find Kevin in the stands of Irish Men's Basketball games in the winter and enjoying Northern Michigan with his 2 future domers when the snow melts!

  • Kelly Jo Mikel

    Communications Strategist and Associate Program Director

    Kelly Jo Mikel

    Communications Strategist and Associate Program Director

    B.S., Western Governors University, Business Management

    Kelly Jo is responsible for developing and implementing marketing communications strategies and helping the Pre-College Programs team achieve specific marketing and communication goals. She will also be helping to coordinate several courses and events during Pre-College's on-campus programs. Kelly Jo has been with Pre-College and Notre Dame since 2017.     

    In Kelly Jo's spare time she is restoring a lakeside fixer upper with the help of her husband and spending as much time as she can with her family and 2 rescue dogs.  

  • Paul Mueller

    Director of Pre-College Programs and Director of Enrollment Strategy & Analytics

    Paul Mueller

    Director of Pre-College Programs and Director of Enrollment Strategy & Analytics

    B.A. Political Science, Gustavus Adolphus College
    M.A. Government & International Relations, University of Notre Dame
    Ph.D. Political Science, University of Notre Dame

    Director of Pre-College Programs and Director of Enrollment Strategy & Analytics

  • Curtis Urban

    Program Director, International Programs and Data Strategist

    Curtis Urban

    Program Director, International Programs and Data Strategist

    B.A. History, The Ohio State University
    M.A. History, Miami University
    Ph.D. History, University of Notre Dame

     

    Curtis is our data guy and international aficionado! While developing residential programs in collaboration with ND faculty, Curtis primarily manages our online application tools, serves on the Pre-College application review committee, and is involved in recruiting. Curtis also serves as the on-site coordinator for our Study Abroad Programs in Italy and Ireland, traveling with the students to ensure a safe and extraordinary summer experience.

    After loading up on schnitzel and bratwurst during a stint teaching in Heidelberg, Germany, Curtis returned to Indiana committed to ensuring students are equipped with the tools for future success. Apart from a mission to mold America’s future leaders, Curtis loves pretending he’s a foodie, playing with Henry his mini Labradoodle, and dominating cornhole at college football tailgates. A native Ohioan in love with the Midwest, Curtis takes the occasional trip to Europe because… well, Europe!

     
  • Angie Yugo

    Senior Program Director, Domestic Programs

    Angie Yugo

    Senior Program Director, Domestic Programs

    B.S. Marketing and Advertising, Indiana University Bloomington

    Angie is responsible for the day-to-day function of the Office of Pre-College Programs including staff supervision, budget management, and leads the development of the recruitment and marketing efforts. She also facilitates the review of student applications, Resident Counselor recruitment, hiring and training and manages the office’s community based organization partnerships.

    Angie has been with the University since 2002. She loves hiking, traveling, reading, cooking​ and spending as much time as she can with her five grandchildren​. She has a rescue dog named Ava, and not-so-secretly loves making Halloween costumes!