The University of Notre Dame named Laura McAleer associate vice president for federal and Washington relations.
McAleer served the last two decades in congressional and executive branch staff positions, most recently as acting principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. McAleer’s responsibilities include strengthening Notre Dame's relationships with the White House, Congress, federal agencies, regulatory bodies, media and alumni.
In addition to her congressional work, McAleer served as director for strategic initiatives for the secretary of the Navy, as a strategy and plans officer for the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, and as a defense adviser and government affairs manager for a Washington-based consulting firm. She also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and as a visiting scholar at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute.
McAleer graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in government and international relations. She earned a Master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and an advanced project manager certification from Stanford University.
