The Seven Hallmarks are at the heart of the NDNU experience. But what do they mean to the people who live them every day? In this new series, members of our community – faculty, staff, alumni, volunteer leaders and supporters – will reflect on what the Hallmarks mean, the Hallmarks that matter most to them and how those values influence their lives.
We begin with a simple but meaningful question: What do the Hallmarks mean to you?
Cathy Ennon
Alumna, NDNU Faculty Member, and Field Supervisor, School of Education
"Every time I teach EDU 4405: Teaching & Pedagogy, I begin with an in-depth discussion of NDNU's mission statement. Why? Because it sets the stage for understanding who we are and what we aspire to be as a university. The Hallmarks provide the roadmap, turning that vision into action and guiding how we travel the journey together. They are truly a gift."
Hanna Malak
Alumnus
“The Hallmarks represent a values-based framework for living, leading, and serving others. As an NDNU MBA alumnus, I have come to appreciate that the Hallmarks are not simply aspirational statements but practical guides for decision-making. They reflect a Catholic tradition that calls us to recognize the inherent dignity of every person, seek justice, build community, and lead with compassion and purpose. They continue to influence how I approach leadership, relationships, and service.”
Helen Marlo
Dean, NDNU School of Psychology
“I love the Hallmarks because they embody the very best of NDNU. They are one of the main reasons I have remained at NDNU for decades. Their commitment to inclusion, diversity, the sacred, and shared values has always resonated with me. The etymological meaning of ‘catholic’ is “universal,” and the Hallmarks feel universal to me, applicable across people, cultures, and many of no faith traditions. To me, the Hallmarks are like a lighthouse, providing a steady light that guides us through changing seas. Over the past few years, the university has experienced tremendous change, but the Hallmarks have endured. They are the foundation upon which everything else is built.”
John Hofmann
Executive Director, NDNU Institutional Effectiveness
“I was very fortunate to participate in a Hallmarks retreat earlier this year; being in dialogue with members from other Notre Dame de Namur learning communities was such a gift that helped support a deep engagement and connection with others. For me, the Hallmarks represent both a calling and commitment to serve others in the world and to do so in community.”
Niki Rodrigues Nielsen
Alumna, NDNU Trustee, and Former Staff Member
"I believe the Hallmarks are ultimately about how we are called to show up in the world and for one another. What I appreciate most is that they move beyond belief alone and challenge us to put our values into action. They call us to recognize the dignity of every person, build community, serve others, advocate for justice, and demonstrate our faith through the way we live and treat one another.
For me, the Hallmarks have become even more meaningful over time. As an NDNU student, I understood them primarily as the university's values. As an adult, and especially through my career in Catholic education, I have come to see them as a guide for how I want to lead, work, parent, and engage with my community every day."
Niki Dow
Writing, Speaking, and Academic Skills Specialist, NDNU Academic Success Center
“NDNU is a small university, but with many online classes and employees working remotely, we have to be intentional in creating and sustaining a strong sense of community. The Hallmarks can, and I believe should, be the thread that connects everything we do, from our teaching and decision-making to the way we communicate. If the thread is evident in every interaction, we know we are at NDNU and living the Hallmarks in a tangible way that connects us all.”