The Team

Paul Blaschko is an assistant teaching professor in the philosophy department.  

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, and the philosophy of religion. 

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 addition to "God and the Good Life," also teaches a course on the philosophy of work.

Justin 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.

Justin is a PhD student here at Notre Dame interested in the metaphysics of human persons (e.g., whether we're free, whether we’re purely physical beings, whether selves are things we have or things we are) and philosophy of religion. Outside philosophy, he enjoys volleyball, boardgames, gourmet root beer, and watching Survivor.

Favorite Philosopher: Plato

Julia is a senior philosophy and education, schooling and society (ESS) 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. She'll be teaching in the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) next year. Reach out if you have any questions!

Favorite Philosopher:  G.K. Chesterton

Mireille is a junior studying Spanish, Linguistics and TESOL, and is incredibly excited to be a TA for GGL this semester! She is praying about being a missionary in Europe and translating to share the word of God. Mireille loves talking about different faiths and beliefs, so stop by her office hours any time for good conversations and reminiscing about life in Europe!

Favorite Philosopher: Jesus

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

Favorite Philosopher: C.S. Lewis

One of Ben's best qualities is his capacity to correctly identify his surroundings at all times. When prompted with questions as to where he is presently located, Ben has generally given responses in accordance with where he actually is. Outside of space, he also can gauge time fairly accurately, within a half hour of the correct time, most of the time. For instance, when Ben walked into the philosophy department three days ago, he remarked "This is Malloy Hall, and it is roughly 3:15pm on Thursday!" To which passerby did not become confused, as he was in fact at this place at this time. Now you know something about Ben!

Favorite Philosopher: "Maybe Sartre? If I can ever finish his 10 million page book?"

Patrick is a PhD student in History and Philosophy of Science. His research interests mostly lie in the philosophy of physics, but also coincide with more general philosophy of science issues like modeling, idealization, and explanation. Outside of philosophy, he enjoys science fiction, karaoke, and running.

Favorite Philosopher: Isaac Newton

Qiong is a third year Ph.D. student in philosophy. Her academic interest is metaphysics. Her non-academic interests include making pour over coffee, swimming, and bird watching.

Favorite Philosopher:  David Lewis

Blake Ziegler is a junior from New Orleans, Louisiana, majoring in political science and philosophy with a minor in constitutional studies. He has an affinity for political theory, especially the Rawlsian tradition and the relationship between religion and politics. Blake is committed to making philosophy accessible and demonstrating its applicability to everyday life. Outside of GGL, Blake is a research assistant, writes columns for The Observer, and serves as co-president of the Jewish Club. He is also a Tocqueville Fellow, member of the philosophy department's majors advisory council, and coaches high school debate.

Favorite Philosopher: John Rawls

Ashley Adams is a junior majoring in History and Psychology and minoring in Computing and Digital Technologies. She is from the suburbs of Chicago, but on campus you can find her in Badin Hall. When not discussing the deeper meaning of life, Ashley loves to watch Marvel movies, talk way too much about study abroad, spend time outdoors on excessively long walks around campus, and make an unnecessary amount of Spotify playlists. She cannot wait to continue corrupting the youth!!

Favorite Philosopher:  Aristotle

DJ is a sophomore Computer Science major hailing from Libertyville, Illinois. When he's not dialogue leader-ing, he can be found watching cheesy sitcoms, old movies, or messing around on the guitar.

Favorite Philosopher: Naval Ravikant

Elizabeth is from Charlotte, North Carolina and is the middle child of five children with a dog, Bear. She is a senior studying Architecture with a minor in Sustainability and loves all outdoor activities, especially running and snowboarding. She was in Welsh Family Hall and now lives off campus. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends and playing on the Women's Club Soccer Team. Elizabeth can't wait for another great semester with the GGL community!

Favorite Philosopher:  William James

Aidan is a senior hailing from Tampa, Florida. He is currently an RA in Dunne Hall and is majoring in Finance. His passions include boxing, philosophy, film, and music.

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Drew is a sophomore majoring in Business Analytics and minoring in Collaborative Innovation. He is from a state that is known for its dairy products. He was scolded by his first-grade teacher for doodling in his notebook but kept drawing anyway because that’s a non-sensical request for a seven-year-old. Today, he spends time making Youtube videos, drawing faces, reading about the NBA, longboarding around campus, appraising rap albums, honing in on a wardrobe color palette, and trying to meet new people. His goal as a dialogue leader is to create a dialogue that students look forward to coming to.

Favorite Philosopher:  Viktor Frankl

Nate Cieplik is a junior 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, watching football and basketball, going on hikes, and most other outdoor activities.

Favorite Philosopher:  John Stuart Mill

Elsa is a Freshman majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies. She is from South Bend Indiana and is proud to live in Lyons Hall while on campus. Elsa loves reading, pretending she still remembers how to do MATLAB, spontaneous road trips with friends, and doodling on the Lyons whiteboards. She is usually seen around the lakes enjoying the cold and smuggling her dog on campus, so if you see her feel free to say hello!

Favorite Philosopher:  John Stuart Mill

Mae is a sophomore at ND majoring in biochemistry with minors in bioengineering and Health, Humanities, and Society (HHS), and she loves applying philosophy to medicine and science. She’s from the Chicago Suburbs originally, and lives in Welsh Family Hall on campus. She also plays club ice hockey for Notre Dame’s women’s team. This will be her first semester as a dialogue leader and she’s super excited for some great discussion.

Favorite Philosopher:  Cicero

Devin is a senior 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. As one of the Dialogue Co-Chairs, Devin is excited about how to make weekly dialogue as engaging as possible, talking about issues and ideas that relate to everyday life.

Favorite Philosopher:  St. Thomas Aquinas

Ivan is a sophomore from Chicago (yes, he's from the suburbs) majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Russian and Theology. He is particularly interested in philosophy for how applicable the subject is for everyday decision making. Outside of school, Ivan is a full time trader focusing on options and crypto. Although subpar at most sports, he enjoys spending time playing basketball, tennis, and golf with his friends.

Favorite Philosopher:  Aristotle

Evie is a first year studying Anthropology, Peace Studies, and Sustainability. Originally from Falls Church, Virginia, she is coming to terms with the realization that DC winters are not actually cold. Currently, she lives in Farley hall (go finest) and is on the Student Government Department of Sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, exploring nature, and dreaming about the day south bend gets a good boba place.

Favorite Philosopher:  Angela Davis

Ainsley Hurford is a sophomore majoring in Theology and Political Science. She is a proud Purple Weasel of Pasquerilla West Hall, but her original home is in the (Illinois) suburbs of St. Louis. When not debating philosophical truths, Ainsley likes to hike and camp, watch rom-coms that consist solely of predictable cliches, and pet as many dogs as she can find.

Favorite Philosopher:  Socrates

Uriel (Udi) Ibarra is a junior Science-Business major currently residing in Knott Hall. He is from Waco, Texas, where Dr. Pepper was invented. This is Udi's second semester as a dialogue leader, and when not in his Tuesday night dialogue sessions or studying for the grueling MCAT, he can be found playing basketball in Duncan, piano in the chapel, table tennis in the Knott lounge, or eating food. Alongside Greg Rashid, Udi is ready to tackle the toughest, tricky, tingling, yet thrilling questions in dialogue this semester!

Favorite Philosopher: Zeno of Citium

Frank is a sophomore from Illinois, and he is currently living in O'Neill Hall. Aside from being a business major and a GGL dialogue leader, Frank is part of the Student Union Board and the Notre Dame Glee Club, where he expresses his passion for service and music. At Notre Dame, Frank aspires to grow and learn from the different on-campus communities that he is a part of, including his weekly meetings with his dialogue group.

Favorite Philosopher:  William James

Gabby Keller is a junior 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.

Favorite Philosopher:  Marcus Aurelius

Amir Khouzam is a freshman Neuroscience major who plans on going pre-med. He likes trying new food, hanging out with friends, and playing the guitar and piano. He is so excited to be a fellow and looks forward to having a great semester with his dialogue group!

Favorite Philosopher:  Either Immanuel Kant or René Descartes

Laura is Senior Psychology major with a minor in Theology. Although she spent most of her life in Wausau, WI, she never forgets to mention that she was born in Santiago, Chile and is still a proud chilena. She loves living in Walsh Hall here on campus, but acknowledges that Pangborn will forever be her home (<3 t-nation). During her free time she is involved with the club tennis team, Campus Ministry, and the Family Studies Lab. GGL was one of her favorite classes when she started at Notre Dame and she is super excited to meet new people who are open to having deep philosophical discussions!

Favorite Philosopher: Augustine

Mia Lecinski is a senior from Wilmette, Illinois and currently lives off campus (but formerly lived in Lyons Hall). She is majoring in Philosophy and Economics with minors in Design and Italian. This semester, she is most excited to train the men's boxing team for the Bengal Bouts. She talks a lot, but she is most excited to talk about philosophy with her students.

Favorite Philosopher:  Albert Camus

Nicole is a sophomore in Welsh Family Hall studying chemical engineering and energy studies, and she is originally from Naperville, Illinois. While Nicole spends a lot of time doing engineering classes, clubs, and research, she loves stepping back from STEM and connecting philosophy to concepts of religion and lifestyle. Outside of GGL, Nicole is involved in the Women's Boxing Club, Chorale, and Best Buddies on campus. Feel free to reach out with any questions, or to hear her theories on life!

Favorite Philosopher:  Plato

Anastasia is a sophomore double majoring in Studio Art and Psychology. She is originally from Chicago, IL and now lives in Badin Hall. Outside of class she is involved in a variety of clubs, including Notre Dame Right to Life, Ballet Folklórico Azúl y Oro, and Ukrainian Society of Notre Dame. When not busy with all of that, you can find her hanging out with friends or watching Marvel movies and shows. Anastasia is super excited to talk about philosophy, and life in general, with her dialogue group!

Favorite Philosopher:  Thomas Aquinas

Jack McGarrity is a freshman in Duncan Hall studying Electrical Engineering. Jack is from Virginia, but has also lived in New Jersey and Switzerland. When Jack isn't leading his dialogue group, God and the Goon Life, Jack can be found studying on the twelfth floor of Hesburgh, playing Squash at the Rock, or practicing Violin in his dorm.

Favorite Philosopher:  Nietzche

Margaret is a senior studying Philosophy and English. She is thrilled to be a fellow this semester (and sad that this is her last one). Make her day by asking for South Bend restaurant recommendations or giving her a new thought experiment!

Favorite Philosopher:  Confucius

Jake is a sophomore studying finance. Originally from Eden Prairie, MN, Jake naturally loves the cold South Bend winters. He is a proud Stanford Hall Griffin (scraw!). Outside of GGL, Jake participates in SIBC, Global Investment Club, Wall Street Club, NDTV, SUB, and many different musical ensembles. Jake is super excited for another semester talking about life's biggest questions!

Favorite Philosopher:  Shelly Kagan

Olivia is a senior 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, endlessly talking about how much she loves Notre Dame, or texting her off-campus friends to please come pick her up from Main Circle. She is so excited for another semester of dialogue with her fellow GGLers!

Favorite Philosopher: William Jones

Maggie is a senior from Vienna, VA and currently lives in McGlinn Hall. She is a political science major, with a supplementary major in Italian and a minor in anthropology. Her academic interests include language policy and historical preservation policy. In her free time, she loves to read and run. She is very excited for her 6th and final semester as a dialogue leader!

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Erin is a junior from Cherry Hill, NJ currently living in Lewis Hall. She is majoring in biology and minoring in compassionate care in medicine, and she aspires to attend medical school after graduation. When not stressing on the tenth floor of Club Hes or telling everyone she meets about her "life-changing" semester abroad in Dublin, Erin enjoys running, baking, binge-watching Survivor, and spending time with friends. She is so excited to return for another great semester of philosophical dialogue!

Favorite Philosopher:  Descartes

Connor Patrick is a junior from Albany, New York living in Dillon Hall. He is majoring in History with minors in Real Estate; Sustainability; Portuguese & Brazilian Studies; and Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE). Connor is serving as the Events Coordinator for the GGL Program this year.  In addition to his involvement with GGL, he is involved in other initiatives on campus such as the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir, the New York Club of Notre Dame, Student Government, 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: His Holiness, The Dalai Lama

Lulu is a senior studying Film, Television & Theatre and Philosophy with a minor in musical theatre. Her philosophical interests center around the metaphysics of self and identity, rational decision-making, and moral theory. She has been a part of GGL every semester of her college career and absolutely loves getting to know and to discuss philosophy with the students.

Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Renee is a junior living in Lewis Hall studying Political Science and Psychology. She hails from Scottsdale, Arizona but found a second home in Athens, Greece when she studied abroad there this past fall semester. On campus, she is involved in Student Government, Student Policy Network, and of course, GGL. In her free time she enjoys hedonistically binging Netflix shows, spending time outdoors, and reading the news (she is aware that this is very nerdy). Feel free to reach out anytime with questions about studying abroad, getting involved on campus, or to chat about anything and everything philosophy related!

Favorite Philosopher:  Marcus Aurelius

Greg is a sophomore majoring in History and International Economics - German. He is originally from Illinois and is a big Chicago Bulls, Bears, and Cubs fan. He currently lives in O'Neill Hall and enjoys playing chess, watching Jeopardy and speaking German in his free time, along with working out at the Smith Center and occasionally joining a pick-up basketball game. Greg is interested in international consulting and/or law school and looks forward to studying abroad at New College at Oxford University next year.

Favorite Philosopher:  Marcus Aurelius

Declan is a Freshman coming from Cinnaminson, New Jersey living in Keenan Hall. He is a double major in Psychology and English and he is proud to be in his first semester as a GGL fellow. In addition to his work as a fellow, Declan enjoys to spend his time on air for WSND and WVFI both hosting a radio show and announcing the Fighting Irish Football games. He also has the largest pin collection on Notre Dame's campus (challengers welcome) and is always up to talk, so don't be afraid to come to office hours!!!

Favorite Philosopher:  Michelle Obama

Camille is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior with a minor in Anthropology, hoping to attend medical school after graduation. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana, and on campus she lives in Flaherty Hall. Camille loves reading, sunshine, playing board games (they are cool!), and being outdoors in nature. Her favorite philosophical work is Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, though she is partial to anything Ancient Greek. She is so excited to get to know her dialogue group!

Favorite Philosopher:  Marcus Aurelius

Honey is a sophomore majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Sustainability. She grew up in New Jersey, the Garden state, but her home under the dome is Pasquerilla West Hall. With aspirations of going to veterinary school, catch her volunteering at her local animal hospital, going on runs, or listening to her chill vibes playlist on Spotify. She cannot wait to get to know her GGL students this year.

Favorite Philosopher:  Confucius

Max is a third year student majoring in Political Science, with a minor in Business Economics. He has been a GGL Fellow for three years, and is adamant that the experience has changed his life. He loves teaching and spending time with his students delving into the problems that we face in everyday life. Outside of the Fellows Program, Max is an active competitor for Notre Dame Mock Trial. He enjoys writing, debating, and long late night conversations with friends.

Favorite Philosopher: Albert Camus

Kate is a current freshman living in Lewis Hall. She is from Wilmette, Illinois (a suburb north of Chicago) and has 5 siblings. Kate is pursuing a major in psychology. In her free time, she loves running around the lakes, meeting new people, hanging out with friends, and catching up with family members on the phone! Kate is honored to be a GGL fellow and can’t wait to get to know her students and engage in meaningful conversation.

Favorite Philosopher:  Socrates

Analena VanderZwaag is a junior from Elkhart, Indiana living in Ryan Hall. She is studying Science-Business with minors in Poverty Studies and Catholic Social Tradition. She plans to go to dental school after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, and hanging out with her friends.

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle

Chadwick is a junior living in Dunne hall studying Marketing and Philosophy. He grew up in Singapore and Los Angeles and also happens to be a former competitive international figure skater. Besides his love for philosophy, he also enjoys playing guitar, ice skating of course, and making coffee. He is always open to making you a cup of coffee (with latte art on it) and having a chat!

Favorite Philosopher: Epictetus & David Hume

Katelyn is a junior studying Biochemistry with a minor in Theology and a concentration in Neuroscience & Behavior. She is originally from Syracuse, NY, but now she is a proud resident of Lewis Hall. When she happens to find herself with some free time between chemistry problem sets (Free time? What's that?), you'll find her in Dr. Ashfeld's research lab, swimming with the club team, or watching Disney movies. She is looking forward to meeting her dialogue group, and she can't wait to continue working with the GGL team!

Favorite Philosopher:  Aristotle

Dashiell is a sophomore Biochemistry major who is considering picking up a minor in German. He is from St. Louis, but lives on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. Dashiell is a proud member of Baumer Hall's first initiates. He often spends his free time playing guitar, playing cards, or working out with his roommate.

Favorite Philosopher: Aristotle