The Team

Paul Blaschko is Assistant Professor of the Practice in the Philosophy Department and long-time GGL instructor.  

He is a philosopher and his primary areas of interest are epistemology and action theory. His research focuses on the nature and normative dimensions of deliberative belief formation, but he's also interested in theories of practical reason and value, the philosophy of religion, and medieval philosophy. 

Paul is committed to making philosophy publicly accessible and relevant, and--in his teaching--he emphasizes innovative course design, practical relevance, intellectual formation, and classroom transparency. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in January of 2019. 

His favorite philosopher is Elizabeth Anscombe.

Prof. Sullivan serves as Director of the GGL Program.  She is teaching GGL at 9:10-10:00am on Mondays and Wednesdays in Fall 2020.  Her research focuses on time, modality, practical rationality and the nature of religious belief. She is currently writing a book on God and the Good Life with Prof. Blaschko.  She also serves as Director of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study.

All-Time Favorite Philosopher: Tie between Plato and Aristotle.

Dr. Christy is Program Coordinator of the Philosophy as a Way of Life Project at Notre Dame and oversees the GGL Fellows program. He grew up in the town of Greenwich in upstate New York, did his undergrad at SUNY Geneseo, and received his PhD from Notre Dame in 2017. His philosophical work focuses on the philosophy of mind, especially the nature of perception and other types of conscious experience. His non-academic interests include bicycling and hiking, playing piano and guitar, and enjoying the company of cats.

Haley is a PhD student studying philosophy. She is interested in ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of education. Outside of philosophy, she loves cats, cooking, and being outdoors.

Julia is a junior philosophy and peace studies major from Raleigh, North Carolina. When she is not working on philosophy-related things, you can usually find her running around campus, shooting film at a sports game, or just goofing around with friends.

Favorite Philosopher at the Moment: Camus

Cassie is a senior majoring in neuroscience with a supplementary major in ACMS (Applied and Computational Math and Statistics). Originally from Wilmington, NC Cassie now resides in Johnson Family Hall. She has been a GGL Fellow for three semesters and this is her first semester as a TA. Cassie also plays tuba for marching band and during quarantine she knit half a blanket before getting bored and starting a different blanket. Stop by her office hours to debate if pop tarts are a form of ravioli (or to hear a rant about how cute her beagle is)! 

Favorite Philosopher: Peter Singer

Huimin is a second-year graduate student. Her main area of interest is early modern philosophy, especially Spinoza and Hume, although they are quite the opposite. Apart from that, she is also interested in moral philosophy. Her non-philosophical interests are photography and watching anime with friends. 

Kat Machado is a junior majoring in psychology and American Studies. She originally hails from La Mirada, CA but now lives in the glamorous Pasquerilla East Hall. On campus, you can find Kat singing in Chorale, picnicking on north quad, or baking cookies in the PE kitchen. She is especially interested in moral philosophy and the nature of religious belief. She can’t wait to bring people into the wonderful world of GGL and help people find answers to some of life’s biggest questions! 

All time favorite philosopher: C.S. Lewis 

Ciara is a second-year graduate student. She is very interested in moral philosophy and epistemology, as well as in philosophy of religion. She is also interested in the principle of sufficient reason and always enjoys learning about the history of philosophy (especially medieval and early modern philosophy). She cares a lot about introducing philosophy to wider audiences. Her non-philosophical interests include novels (her favorites include Middlemarch and Robin Hobb’s Farseer books) and hiking.

Conrad is a junior at the University of Notre Dame. He is currently pursuing a double major in accounting and philosophy. His hometown is Las Vegas, NV and his favorite hobbies include listening to music, rock climbing, traveling to new places, and doing something adventurous with friends. On campus, Conrad works for Fighting Irish Media, and is the captain of the Notre Dame Debate team. He is very excited to discuss philosophical topics and contemplate life's big questions with fellow students, and I cannot wait for this upcoming semester.

All-time favorite Philosopher: Kant

Jess is currently a senior neuroscience & behavior and philosophy double major from The Woodlands, Texas. She used to live in McGlinn Hall (roll rocks baby!!) but now she lives off-campus. Jess spends most of her free time playing volleyball with friends, watching movies, cheating on the crosswords in The Observer, listening to TED Talks, and eating The Tonight Dough. She's spent two years on the GGL team and is looking forward to another great semester!

Blake Ziegler is a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is majoring in political science and philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. He loves philosophy and is dedicated to making it accessible to any student! Outside of GGL, Blake is a member of the band, columnist for The Observer, and secretary of the Jewish Club. He also coaches high school debate and can often be found rooting for the New Orleans Saints. 

Elizabeth is a junior studying architecture with a minor in sustainability. She is from Charlotte, North Carolina and was formerly a resident of Welsh Family Hall. In her free time she enjoys any outdoor activities. She is super excited to get to know the new members of the GGL community and continue to discuss the big questions! 

Aidan is a junior majoring in finance and minoring in philosophy. He is from Tampa, Florida and lives in Dunne Hall. His favorite philosopher is Aristotle. His passions include film, boxing, and guitar. He is also a huge adrenaline junkie!

Sterling is a sophomore business analytics major from Atlanta, GA. Sterling particularly enjoys using philosophical applications in the modern world. He is excited for a through provoking semester as a GGL fellow, and hopes to inspire others to learn more about philosophy (even if they aren’t philosophy majors).

All time favorite philosopher: Descartes

Jenna is a senior majoring in finance and minoring in philosophy. She lived in McGlinn Hall her first three years (Roll Rocks!), and now she lives off campus. She is from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. In her free time, she loves to play on the Club Softball team and work as a campus tour guide. She has been on the GGL team since her freshman year and she is looking forward to another great semester of corrupting the youth!

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Joseph is a junior living off campus and majoring in computer science and the Program of Liberal Studies through the Reilly Dual Degree Program. He is from South Bend and lived in Stanford Hall before moving off campus. He enjoys singing in the Liturgical Choir, playing board games, riding his bike, and discussing philosophically about pretty much anything. This is his second semester as a GGL Fellow after a two-semester break and he is excited to get back into the world of GGL and participate in some meaningful dialogue. 

Favorite Philosopher:  Socrates

Runner-ups: Epictetus, Kant

Nate is a sophomore from Massachusetts living in Knott Hall and studying biology and global affairs, with a concentration in international development studies. In his free time, Nate enjoys playing basketball, going on hikes, and all other outdoor activities.

Favorite Philosopher: John Stuart Mill

Ryan is a senior business analytics major and philosophy minor living in Fisher Hall.  If he has not already informed you -- usually quite obnoxiously, Ryan is from Cleveland, Ohio, and has been under the delusion for the past three years that his beloved Cleveland Browns will make the playoffs sometime before he graduates.  When not yelling at the TV in his room, he enjoys overcast weather, listening to a playlist of DaBaby/The Strokes/sad girl indie music, and Flex Seal (TM) commercials.  Feel attend his Zoom office hours to discuss NBC's The Good Place, Sartre's existentialism, or Hume's Theory of Perception.  Snapple Fact #496 To clean paint off your hands, use olive oil – it softens the paint and makes it easy to remove.

Bryce is a senior economics major and philosophy and sociology minor living in Keough Hall.  He is a fan of the New England Patriots, Vegas Golden Knights, and Oklahoma City Thunder, and yes some see this as him being a winner picker, he, however, claims to have a reason for each, so feel free to ask him at your own risk. He grew up in Greenwich, CT, but was born in Nebraska, so he still likes country music. He studied abroad in the fall last semester in Rome and if anyone wants to talk about it feel free to ask, but once again tread lightly, he might have a lot to say. Bryce is excited for another semester of GGL and can't wait to corrupt more of the youth.

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Dave is a sophomore studying architecture with a minor in sustainability. He was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and will gladly show you exactly where that is by pointing at his right hand. Currently, he is a proud member of Dillon Hall. (Let's Go Big Reddddd) Additionally, Dave is a student-athlete on the Notre Dame Swimming & Diving team. He enjoys curating specific playlists, playing beach volleyball, and promising vegan food isn't that bad. 

Favorite philosopher: Peter Singer

Elle is a fifth-year architecture senior with a minor in poverty studies.  She is from Phoenix, Arizona, and lived in Farley Hall before traveling abroad to Rome.  She is part of the OG Fellows Cohort who took the class in Fall 2016, and looks forward to leading her dialogue group in meaningful and reflective dialogue during this ~masked~ semester.  When she's not on Zoom, Elle likes to socially distance at St. Patrick's Park and is teaching herself to cook.  Fun fact: in 2018 she auditioned for a new installment of MTV's Fear Factor, Sibling pairs edition.

Devin is a junior studying neuroscience & behavior with a minor in education, schooling, and society. He is from the suburbs of Kansas City (on the Kansas side) but now lives off campus after two years in Dunne Hall. Devin's interested in how philosophy relates to everyday life and decision making. He's excited to get to know and discuss with the GGL students this year!

Grace is a sophomore majoring in political science with minors in business economics and the Hesburgh Program for Public Service. She is from New York City but now is a proud resident of Walsh Hall on campus. She is so excited to be a GGL fellow and is looking forward to a great semester with her dialogue group!

Jess is a senior from Randolph, NJ majoring in finance and ACMS. She lived in Lyons Hall for 3 years but now lives off campus, and she’s a part of ND Circle K to get involved in community service around South Bend. Even though her majors have nothing to do with philosophy, GGL sparked her interest in the subject, and she can’t wait to get to know the new GGL students!

Favorite Philosopher: Georg Hegel

Elijah is a senior philosophy and history major with minors in PPE (philosophy, politics, and economics) and the Hesburgh Program in Public Service. Hailing from a grand total of ten minutes away in South Bend, IN, he lives in reigning Men's Hall of the Year Dunne Hall during the school year. When's he's not contemplating variants of the trolley problem, Elijah can be found performing in the Notre Dame Band, working for the admissions office, or hyping up Buffy the Vampire Slayer to anyone within earshot. He is super excited to find a way out of Plato's cave with his students this semester!

Pete Hennessey is a senior from St. Louis, Missouri studying accounting and psychology. Originally a resident of Alumni Hall, otherwise known as the Center of the Universe and the best dorm on campus, he now resides off-campus. God and the Good Life is one of the best classes Pete has taken at ND, and to this day he is incredibly grateful for the open and honest conversations he has had within his GGL dialogue groups. Despite never having had a cup of coffee himself, he is always willing to go grab coffee with anyone that is willing, and he is looking forward to blaring music once again from his dialogue room for all to hear (new music recommendations appreciated!)

Favorite Philosopher: Epicurus

My name is Ryan Hoffman and I am from Allentown, Pennsylvania. I am a sophomore living in Dillon Hall majoring in finance and philosophy. In my free time I like to work out and hang out with my friends. 

Favorite Philosopher: Nietzsche

Haley Holden is a senior computer science major from Winthrop, Massachusetts. She lives off campus now, but previously resided in North Dining Hall (as well as Cavanaugh). She is always interested in getting coffee and discussing big questions about life, particularly the good one. 

Favorite Philosopher: Diogenes

Aaron is a sophomore studying economics and political science, originally from Orlando, FL but currently residing in Fisher Hall, the Cadillac of Dorms. Outside of schoolwork, Aaron plays cymbals for the Notre Dame Drumline, listens to a diverse array of music from Philip Glass to Talking Heads to Cole Porter, and enjoys a good bagel and coffee from Einstein every once in a while. Being new to the team, Aaron is excited to begin corrupting the youth and exploring meaning, belief, faith, and morality with other lovers of wisdom. 

Favorite Philosopher (right now):  Étienne Gilson

Gabby Keller is a sophomore residing in Lewis Hall (known for its outstanding assorted breakfast foods).  She has lived her whole life in Jacksonville, Florida with her younger sister and parents where she grew up believing that any temperature below 75° was cold (one winter in South Bend quickly changed that).  Gabby is studying science-business and poverty studies and plans to attend medical school after graduating from Notre Dame.  When she is not learning and discoursing about philosophical theories, Gabby enjoys reading, baking, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Jacob is a junior majoring in marketing and history. He lives in Alumni Hall, and firmly believes it is the best dorm on campus. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is excited to continue working with students in the God and the Good Life class.

All-time favorite Philosopher: Fyodor Dostoevsky

Maria is a freshman from northern Illinois living in Farley Hall majoring in neuroscience and behavior and minoring in history. She participates in student radio and has a segment for WSND FM, and is the co-president of the Notre Dame chapter of the Brain Exercise Initiative, a program that works with Alzheimer's patients to restore their cognitive function. Additionally, Maria enjoys spending time with friends and watching movies. 

Favorite Philosopher: Descartes 

Patrick McGuire is a proud senior RA in Siegfried Hall (go Ramblers!) studying economics and sociology. As a military kid, Siegfried is his true hometown, but he has moved 14 times and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. He is passionate about local government and student government, working with the City of South Bend on inclusive development and previously serving as Student Body Vice President! He's an exclamation! point! enthusiast! and is so excited to be back for his fourth semester as a GGL fellow!

Favorite Philosopher: Søren Kierkegaard 

Chase is a senior neuroscience & philosophy double major living off campus. Originally from Avon Lake, Ohio (a suburb on the westside of Cleveland, Go Browns!!), he has found a second home in South Bend playing inter-hall beach volleyball and basketball, working with the Nuclear Physics Laboratory and the God and the Good Life team. If you have any questions about philosophy, formal logic, life at Notre Dame or playlists for beach volleyball, feel free to reach out.

All-time favorite philosopher: George Berkeley

Jasmine is a senior science-business major and science, technology, and values minor from Hinsdale, Illinois. She is a proud Cubs fan and firmly believes that the best hot dogs are found at Wrigley Field. A former resident of McGlinn Hall, she now lives off-campus. In her free time she loves to participate in intramural sports, hike, and host Monday night Bachelor watches. 

Favorite philosopher: Aristotle

Murph is an off-campus senior majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies with minors in PPE and business/economics. Formerly a resident of Sorin College, he is originally from Glencoe, Illinois, and enjoys political philosophy, music, and college football. This is Murph's fourth semester as a GGL fellow, and he looks forward to finally coming to a finite conclusion about the meaning of life this time around.

Kevin is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences from Western Springs, IL. A resident of Knott Hall, he serves as their social commissioner and misses Friday afternoon games of section football. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, taking long naps, and getting first in Mario Kart. Over the summer, he started listening to the Philosophize This! podcast and recommends it to anyone looking for a good sampling of philosophy. 

Favorite philosopher: Kierkegaard

Katia is a sophomore pursuing a major in marketing.  She lives in Welsh Family Hall and is from South Bend, IN (townie life).  She loves snowboarding, her dog, and gushers. She can't wait to talk about all of life's mysteries with her dialogue group. 

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Olivia is a junior majoring in business analytics and psychology. She is from Park Ridge, Illinois, and is a proud resident of Walsh Hall. When Olivia is not tackling life’s most complicated questions with her sustained dialogue group, you may find her running around the tri-campus area with the cross country team, going on long walks around the lakes with friends, or burning up Flex Points on bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips at the Huddle. She is so excited for another semester of dialogue with her fellow GGLers!

I’m a sophomore living in McGlinn Hall. I’m from Vienna, VA, which is just outside of DC. I’m a political science major but am also super interested in languages and learning about different cultures and schools of thought. I also love reading and running. I’m so excited to get to meet new people and learn more about how different people see the world!

All-time favorite Philosopher: Rene Descartes 

Erin is a sophomore from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is studying biology with medical school aspirations and she currently lives in Lewis Hall. In her free time she enjoys cooking, running, and rewatching the her favorite shows on Netflix. This is Erin’s first semester as a member of the GGL team and she looks forward to engaging in meaningful, philosophical conversations with her dialogue group!

Chris is a sophomore at Sorin College from Harrison, New York, studying history and classics with a minor in the JED program. When he's not entranced by the innumerable possibilities of the universe, he sings for the Glee Club and writes for the Observer. His biggest accomplishment is knowing every single lyric to Biggie Smalls' Juicy. Roll Quint. 

All-time favorite Philosopher: Immanuel Kant 

Connor Patrick is a rising sophomore from Albany, New York living in Dillon Hall. He is majoring in philosophy and global affairs with minors in liturgical music ministry, Portuguese & Brazilian Studies, and digital marketing. In addition to serving as a GGL Fellow, he is involved in other initiatives on campus such as the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir, College Mentors for Kids, Student Government, Moreau Student Advisory Council, and more. He firmly believes that the peanut butter pie in South Dining Hall is God’s ultimate gift to humanity. 

Connor is extremely honored to be a GGL Fellow and is excited to explore how philosophy relates to everyday life with his Dialogue Group!

Favorite Philosopher: The Dalai Lama

Lulu is a junior from Granger, Indiana living in Pasquerilla West Hall. She is majoring in FTT and philosophy, with a minor in musical theatre. In her free time she participates in theatre, drinks lots of La Croix, and listens to good music. She can’t wait to dive deeper into questions of morality (should I go vegetarian??) with new GGL freshmen this semester.

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Renee is a sophomore from Scottsdale, Arizona living in Welsh Family Hall. She is studying political science and psychology with a minor in journalism, ethics, and democracy. Renee is currently serving as the Sophomore Class President, and in her free time she enjoys writing for The Observer, starting pointless debates with her friends, and listening to indie music (sorry). 

Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Jillie is from the infamous city of trees (aka Sacramento, California).  She is an off-campus junior from Welsh Family Hall majoring in political science with a minor in journalism. Her favorite things include: coffee, Notre Dame football, and abstract yet analytical discussions regarding the meaning of life and what makes life on earth worth living (welcome to GGL). Here’s to an amazing semester ahead!

Hannah is a sophomore majoring in economics and global affairs. She is from New Jersey and lives in Farley Hall on campus. In her free time she loves reading, running, and listening to country music. She is excited for her first semester as a GGL fellow and to share great philosophical discussions this year!

Nathalie is a sophomore at Notre Dame majoring in political science with a supplementary major in global affairs. While she is originally from Kalamazoo, MI, on campus she lives in Farley Hall. In her free time she enjoys going to the beach (Lake Michigan), playing with her dog, and finding new music to listen to. This is her first semester as a fellow, and she cannot wait to engage in philosophical discussion with her dialogue group this year! 

Favorite Philosopher: Kierkegaard

Max is a current freshman and a proud member of O'Neill Hall's Section 1A. Max grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but currently resides in South Bend. He is majoring in economics and political science, with aspirations of going to law school. He is a member of Notre Dame's Mock Trial team, and is bilingual in French and English.

Favorite Philosopher: Nietzsche

Elizabeth is a sophomore living in Lyons Hall from Kenosha, WI.  She is studying philosophy with minors in theology, STV, and dance.  She enjoys going on walks around campus after dark taking a variety of routes depending on the night. 

Chadwick is a sophomore majoring in finance and psychology. He grew up in Singapore and Los Angeles and currently lives in Dunne Hall. He is a former international competitive figure skater who represented Singapore at the Junior World Championships. Chadwick also has a huge passion for third-wave coffee, deep philosophical conversations, and finger-style guitar. He is always down to make you a cup of coffee with some latte art and sit and chat about life. 

Favorite Philosopher: Socrates