ACE Ambassador & Internship Programs
The ACE Ambassador & Internship application are now closed! If you are interested in learning more about our early commit programs, please contact Michael Comuniello (mcomunie@nd.edu; 574.631.6561) or Joe DiSipio (jdisipio@nd.edu; 574.631.9375). We look forward to hearing from you!
ACE Ambassador & Internship Application Instructions
Spring 2024 Important Application Dates
- February 6th: ACE 32 Early Commit Application Opens
- March 26th: ACE 32 Early Commit Application Deadline
- April 1st - 17th: Interviews
- April 19th: Application Decisions Released
- April 26th: Commitment Deadline
- June 23rd - 26th: ACE 32 Early Commit Institute at ND
Contact Us
Contact Mike Comuniello (mcomunie@nd.edu; 574.631.6561) or Joe DiSipio (jdisipio@nd.edu; 574.631.9375) if you have any questions.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcome you to call, e-mail, or visit us in Remick Family Hall on Notre Dame's campus!
Application Details
Part 1: Online Application
- Biographical & Educational Information
- Short Essays & Placement Consideration Form
- Unofficial Transcript
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Professional Headshot Photo
Part 2: Three Letters of Reference
You will need to obtain references from 2 professors and 1 individual who can attest to your success in living and working in a community atmosphere (e.g. Dorm Rector/Residence Director, Campus Minister, Service Project Leader, etc.). Reference letters, which are requested directly through the application, require the following:
- A short evaluation of the five dispositions successful ACE Teachers possess (zeal, coachability, persistence, servant leadership, & hunger for spiritual growth)
- A letter of reference
ACE Internship
In 2008, the Alliance for Catholic Education piloted an exciting initiative open to all Notre Dame juniors the ACE Internship. Our internship program, now in its 16th year, attracts students interested in becoming ACE teachers after graduation and eager to work for ACE during their senior years to advance its mission in service to under-resourced Catholic schools.
Drawing on the diverse gifts and experiences of selected participants, these paid internships (3-5 hours per week) will offer challenging work in close collaboration with the ACE team in a variety of areas:
- Raise awareness of ACE’s mission at Notre Dame
- Outreach efforts and service to local & national Catholic schools through TutorND
- 1-cr. ESS course, Re-seeing & Reflecting on Teaching, during the spring semester
- Opportunities for personal, professional, communal, and spiritual growth
- Cost-free trip to ND's campus for ACE Early Commit Institute in late June
Therefore, we seek rising seniors who wish to serve as ACE teachers after graduation and commit to do so as the first step of their internships. Application for the internship will thus include conditional acceptance to ACE Teaching Fellows.
Meet the Interns
Hometown
Menlo Park, CA
Dorm
Cavanaugh Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Psychology & Education, Schooling, and Society
Minors: Classical Studies
Extracurricular Commitments: Harmonia A Cappella, CLAD Lab, Tutor ND, Cavanaugh Hall Council, Tour Guide
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Intern?
I'm excited for the personal and professional growth that lies ahead! I'm committed to continually evolving as a teacher and leader, as I enhance my skills and knowledge in service to my students. I'm also excited to be part of the ACE community, contributing to the broader mission of educational excellence and equity.
Hometown
Plainfield, IL
Dorm
Welsh Family Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Theology
Extracurricular Commitments: Engineers without Borders, Center for Civic Innovation
Hometown
Bensalem, PA
Dorm
Fischer Undergrad.
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: ACMS
Minor: Classical Studies
Extracurricular Commitments: TutorND, McWell Senior Fellow, Office of Residential Life, Quiz Bowl, ACE PATH Rising Teacher
What experiences at Notre Dame helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
Serving as a tutor through TutorND helped me realize how much I truly enjoy teaching, and talking with current and former ACE teachers helped guide me toward ACE.
Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA
Dorm
Sorin College
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Anthropology & French
Minor: Theology
Extracurricular Commitments: Compass, Gateway, Resident Assistant
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Intern?
I want to find a further corner of the soul that I have yet to reach! By surrounding myself with so many wonderful people who are doing such great things for underserved communities, I know I can better myself. By helping others I hope to grow. As I continue to grow into the man that God calls me to be, I am excited about the challenges of ACE.
Hometown
Wadsworth, OH
Dorm
Sorin College
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Neuroscience and Behavior
Extracurricular Commitments: Undergraduate Research, Resident Assistant, Intramural Sports
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope I can impact the lives of children and make them passionate about learning; if I can inspire my students' curiosities in my classroom, that would be amazing to witness.
Hometown
Long Beach, CA
Dorm
Farley Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Psychology & Spanish
Minor: Education, Schooling, & Society
Extracurricular Commitments: EduClub, PemCo, Psychology Club, Spanish Club
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope to make a different in the lives of my students. I am very thankful to have had teachers that to this day I consider mentors and major influences on my life. I hope to someday be that person for a group of students. I know firsthand from having two parents as educators that teachers create huge impacts on young generations. Taking on that role is intimidating but also exciting and rewarding.
Hometown
Morris Plains, NJ
Dorm
Badin Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Neuroscience and Behavior & Education, Schooling, and Society
Extracurricular Commitments: TutorND, CLAD Lab, ACE PATH Rising Teacher, Early Childhood Development Center Volunteer Teacher, Baraka Bouts
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope to be able to create a safe space for my students where we can explore, dive deeply into our curriculum, and learn from one another.
Hometown
Vienna, VA
Dorm
Duncan Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Philosophy & Theology
Extracurricular Commitments: Resident Assistant, Intramural Sports
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope to inspire students and help them believe that their voices do matter and they can be a powerful force for good in the world while maintaining a strong and informed sense of faith.
Hometown
Carmel, IN
Dorm
Johnson Family Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Psychology & Education, Schooling, and Society
Minor: Gender Studies
Extracurricular Commitments: Baraka Bouts, PEMCo, Gender Relations Center Firestarter, TutorND, IEI Research Assistant, and ESS Student Leadership Board
What experiences at Notre Dame helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
I found getting to know the wonderful people within the ACE community reassuring as I discerned what I wanted to do and where God was calling me to serve after graduation.
Hometown
Westfield, NJ
Dorm
Welsh Family Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Psychology
Minor: Education, Schooling, & Society
Extracurricular Commitments: Robinson Community Learning Center Tutor
What experiences at Notre Dame helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
As an undergraduate, I served as a tutor at the Robinson Community Learning Center which piqued my interest in teaching. Then, during my semester abroad in London, I served as a teacher assistant in a 3rd grade classroom at a Catholic elementary school that solidified my desire to teach.
Hometown
Hinsdale, IL
Dorm
Pasquerilla East Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Psychology & Education, Schooling, & Society
Minor: Hesburgh Program in Public Service
Extracurricular Commitments: Notre Dame Pom Squad, Tutor ND, ESS Leadership Board
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Intern?
I hope to lean on my faith, build relationships with the intern team, and grow in my confidence teaching. My role as an ACE intern will give me a platform I hope to use to spread the joy of the ACE and cultivate community across campus.
Hometown
Fishers, IN
Dorm
Johnson Family Hall
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Neuroscience and Behavior & Education, Schooling, and Society
Minor: Business Economics
Extracurricular Commitments: Sorin Fellows, Special Olympics, CLAD Lab
What experiences at Notre Dame helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
ESS classes and faculty have helped me to discover my passion for education and have walked with me along this journey in discovering God's call for me. I have also found a strong faith community within the de Nicola Center here on campus, in which I've grown in my faith life and have built many Christ-centered relationships.
ACE Ambassadors
In 2017, the Alliance for Catholic Education piloted an exciting opportunity open to all college juniors, not currently enrolled at Notre Dame: the ACE Ambassadors Program. Our ambassadors program empowers selected students to sustain and transform Catholic schools, while also offering conditional acceptance into ACE Teaching Fellows following graduation.
During their senior years, ambassadors work together, alongside the broader ACE community, to share ACE’s mission with fellow undergraduates on their respective campuses. To carry out these paid outreach efforts, our ambassadors receive support from the ACE team in a variety of ways:
- Outreach efforts and service to local & national Catholic schools through TutorND
- Monthly ACE Ambassador Team conversations via Zoom
- Campus visits by ACE Pastoral Team members throughout the academic year
- Opportunities for personal, professional, and spiritual growth
- Cost-free trip to ND’s campus for ACE Early Commit Institute in late June
ACE Ambassadors are offered a unique and formative additional year in the ACE Teaching Fellows experience. Therefore, we seek rising college seniors who wish to serve as ACE teachers after graduation and commit to do so as the first step of their ambassadorships.
Meet the Ambassadors
Hometown
Tulsa, OK
Undergraduate Institution
Oklahoma State University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Economics
Extracurricular Commitments: St. John Catholic Student Center, Beta Theta Pi Men's Social Fraternity, Business Student Council, America's Greatest Homecoming, Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Into the Streets, President's Leadership Council, Student Government Association
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Ambassador?
I hope to grow in faith, love, and charity during my time as an ACE Ambassador my senior year at Oklahoma State University. I desire to trust in the Lord more during the school year as others apply and pray about ACE, love every student more deeply as I encounter them as a son or daughter of God, and give my time and charity to those who simply want to talk about where they desire to go in life.
Hometown
Silver Spring, MD
Undergraduate Institution
Catholic University of America
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Psychology
Minor: Secondary Education
Extracurricular Commitments: Women's basketball, Cardinal Service Corp Leadership Team, Best Buddies Executive Board, President's Society
What experiences at CUA helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
During my time at CUA, being involved in Best Buddies and service influenced my decision to pursue ACE. I discovered an interest in accompanying our buddies in their learning and their faith formation, and am excited to continue this work with my future students.
Hometown
Naperville, IL
Undergraduate Institution
College of the Holy Cross
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: English
Minors: Religious Studies & Latin American Studies
Extracurricular Commitments: Campus Ministry, "The Spire" Newspaper, "The Purple" Literary Magazine, Religious Studies Student Advisory Committee, Tour Guide
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope to learn from an educational community that is far larger than myself and engage in an educational vocation that has the power to encourage the academic, emotional, and spiritual development of lives to come.
Hometown
Devon, PA
Undergraduate Institution
Villanova University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Theology
Minor: Education & Mathematics
Extracurricular Commitments: Pastoral Musicians, FIAT Catholic Women's Community, Ray of Sunshine Tutor
Hometown
McMinnville, OR
Undergraduate Institution
Gonzaga University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: English Literature
Minor: Economics
Extracurricular Commitments: Campus Kids, Running Club, Rugby Club, Gonzaga Hurling Club
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Ambassador?
I hope to grow in my faith, to embrace and expand my definition of community at Gonzaga, and to involve myself in different clubs and student organizations that I haven't previously had the chance to join.
Hometown
San Francisco, CA
Undergraduate Institution
Villanova University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Economics, Humanities, and Philosophy
Extracurricular Commitments: Residence Life, Campus Ministry, Villanova History Society, Matthew J. Ryan Center, Faith and Learning Scholar
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
As an ACE teacher, I am excited to involve myself my new community through a commitment to the spiritual and academic formation of my students.
Hometown
Valhalla, New York
Undergraduate Institution
Wake Forest University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Psychology
Minor: Schools, Education, and Society
Extracurricular Commitments: Kappa Alpha Theta, Catholic Community, Psychology Research
What experiences at Wake Forest helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
I chose to pursue ACE through volunteer and clinical experiences available to me at Wake Forest. I had the opportunity to work and observe in school settings, helping me understand my calling to teaching.
Hometown
Fredericksburg, VA
Undergraduate Institution
University of Virginia
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: English & Religious Studies
Minor: Spanish
Extracurricular Commitments: Cavalier Daily, Catholic Hoos, Thomistic Institute
What experiences at UVA helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
I've been fortunate enough to know the profound impact of good educators and good communities. My experience serving and being served by the Catholic community at UVA made it clear that I wanted to pursue a program marked by service to God and to others. My teachers and professors, meanwhile, inspired me to think about that pursuit in terms of education. ACE seemed to offer the perfect combination of all those things!
Hometown
Summit, NJ
Undergraduate Institution
Yale University
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Extracurricular Commitments: St. Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center, Yale Club Running, Catholic Relief Services, Tour Guide, Research Assistant at Child Studies Center
Hometown
Buffalo, NY
Undergraduate Institution
University of Pittsburgh
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Neuroscience & Politics and Philosophy
Minors: Chemistry & Economics
Extracurricular Commitments: Science Olympiad, American Medical Student Association, Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review Editorial Board, Honors College Student Council, Honors College Community Leader/Ambassador, Beatrice Institute Christian Studies Fellowship, Neuroscience/Bioethics Research
What do you hope to accomplish as an ACE teacher?
I hope to provide a rigorous yet supportive environment in which all students feel respected and challenged, coming to know God more fully as Creator, Lawgiver, and Teacher. I want to put my own faith into action through prayerful service that allows me to see the face of Christ in each student I encounter. Through setting high standards, offering consistent support, and establishing a stimulating classroom atmosphere, I hope to get students excited about learning and focused on how they can use their unique talents to serve God and others.
Hometown
Becker, MN
Undergraduate Institution
Saint John's University (MN)
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: Accounting & Finance
Extracurricular Commitments: Football, Ski and Snowboard Club, Saint John's Senate
How do you hope to grow in your experience as an ACE Ambassador?
I hope to grow through self understanding and deepening my relationship with God.
Hometown
Lombard, IL
Undergraduate Institution
Saint Mary's College (IN)
Undergraduate Studies & Experiences
Majors: English Literature & Secondary Education
Extracurricular Commitments: Notre Dame Dance Company, Make a Wish Club, Dance Marathon, Student Government, Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society, Pi Lambda Theta Education Honors Society, English Department Assistant, Ireland Peer Advisor
What experiences at Saint Mary's helped shape your decision to pursue ACE?
Being able to interact with the tri-campus community has completed shaped my decision to pursue ACE. Notre Dame has always felt like home with its close knit community and values. Being able to have a great group of friends through ND Dance Co. truly inspired me to proceed with ACE and I am thrilled to grow and learn more about this amazing place for one more year as a member of the tri-campus community.
Connect with ACE
The ACE Teaching Fellows Recruitment and Admissions team will meet with prospective applicants all across the country, attending career & post-graduate service fairs, hosting information nights, and visiting college campuses. You'll have the chance to learn and ask questions about the M.Ed., the application process, community life, and more. To connect with our team, request more information or schedule a time for us to chat. We look forward to meeting you!