Three Keough School global affairs majors are developing research skills focused on poverty alleviation as part of a year-long, hands-on learning opportunity through the Pulte Institute for Global Development.
The Global Development Scholars program, now in its second year with support from the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative, provides students with real-world experience to support career outcomes post-graduation. Christina Ayón ’26, Josethy Perez ’27 and Leticia Cardoso Queiroz ’26 were selected to begin work as Global Development Scholars with the institute. Through work on active projects led by the institute’s core and affiliated faculty and technical staff, students receive mentorship and develop skills that prepare them to serve as changemakers who prioritize human dignity.
Scholars selected to participate in the program are eventually paired with work that aligns with their respective goals and interests in the field.
“The Global Development Scholars experience a uniquely Notre Dame approach to understanding and addressing issues related to poverty in global communities,” Keough School Associate Professor and Pulte Institute Core Faculty Paul Perrin said. “The students are not only given opportunities to meet and discuss poverty through the lenses of human dignity, flourishing, and integral human development. They also put these ideas into practice through mentored participation in real-world projects, seeking to increase well-being in various ways across the world.”
The Global Development Scholars of 2025-26 (pictured left to right) are:
Christina Ayón, ’27
Pursuing a double major in global affairs and political science with a minor in Latino studies, Ayón brings experience as a student research associate in Chile as part of the ND Bridge program and as a volunteer helping to establish a food pantry at a community center in her home in Long Beach, California.
As a Global Development Scholar, Ayón is currently working with William J. Pulte Director Tracy Kijewski-Correa on an upcoming paper on post-disaster rebuilding and resilience of Haitian communities. Ayón plans to use her experience at the Pulte Institute to develop her own thesis, possibly at the intersection of migration, disaster and resilience with a regional focus in Latin America.
“The mentorship and community provided by the Global Development Scholars program will be invaluable in helping me channel my passion and curiosity into tangible, impactful work,” Ayón said.
Leticia Cardoso Queiroz, ’26
With combined interests in business and global research and with demonstrated leadership skills, Queiroz joins the Global Development Scholar program initially working with Assistant Professor of the Practice TJ D’Agostino on active projects focused on early education interventions. Currently, she is helping translate one of D’Agostino’s academic papers into a user guide to improve its accessibility with academics and practitioners.
Queiroz says she applied to become a Global Development Scholar because the opportunity connects her two primary interests: academic research and hands-on development work. “I see this as a chance to contribute to meaningful social impact while strengthening my ability to translate data into practical solutions,” she added.
Queiroz is also collaborating with D’Agostino on a policy consulting project with long-time Notre Dame local partner Building Tomorrow in Uganda. She is a major in global affairs at the Keough School with a second major in business analytics at Mendoza.
Josethy Perez, ’26
Perez joins the Pulte Institute having recently conducted her own independent research exploring Haitian migration and integration in Santiago, Chile. With support from the Kellogg Institute, Perez was able to examine how a family-centered accompaniment model aids the long-term resilience of Haitian migrants. She is a global affairs major with a concentration in international development studies.
During her first rotational placement with the Pulte Institute, Perez is working with Associate Professor Paul Perrin to analyze digital and print materials of various NGOs to determine if human dignity is clearly prioritized in the core values they express.
“I am excited to be part of the Global Development Scholars program because it allows me to connect my research and field experiences to meaningful projects, while strengthening my skills to support marginalized communities and prepare for a career in international development and human rights law,” she said.