Erin Thornton
Advisor to the Vice President
Biography
Erin provides advice and insight to the Vice President on all aspects of University Operations, Events, and Safety's strategic operations. She manages special projects and the division’s strategic planning process and OKRs, serves as a liaison to various academic and administrative units, and leads the division’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives along with Embrace. As Advisor, Erin routinely serves as our representative on a variety of committees and initiatives and consults on issues such as the strategic advancement of the division, communication with internal and external constituents, and management of strategic University relationships.
Erin comes to University Operations, Events, and Safety from the Notre Dame Alumni Association, which she joined in 2013 as the Special Events Program Director. Prior to the Alumni Association, Erin was with Disney Cruise Line as the Entertainment Manager for Youth Activities, a position she held from 2007 to 2013. Erin brings deep experience in project management, leadership, and relationship building, in addition to a commitment to Notre Dame’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
Erin holds a B.A. in Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University. She and her husband Mark live in South Bend with their two children, Declan and Beatrice.