People
Rev. Austin I. Collins, C.S.C.
Rev. Austin Collins, C.S.C., serves as the Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, a position he was appointed to in June, 2021. As Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, Father Collins works to steward and deepen Notre Dame’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission and serves as the University’s liaison to the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. bishops and the Holy See. He also oversees the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem and provides critical leadership for the University’s ecumenical and interfaith outreach. Other responsibilities include leadership of the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin and the Grotto Network, a University initiative that contributes to the Church’s mission to evangelize young Catholic adults.
Father Collins served from 2015 to 2020 as religious superior of Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame, during which time he also served as a Trustee and Fellow of the University. A faculty member in the Department of Art, Art History and Design since 1985, he was chair of the department from 1997 through 2003 and has served on the University’s Academic Council, Faculty Senate, Arts and Letters College Council and numerous committees.
Father Collins earned his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, a master of divinity degree from the Graduate Theological Union and a master of fine arts degree from Claremont Graduate University. He was ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame’s founding religious community, in 1982.
As a sculptor, Father Collins’ area of practice includes public art, large outdoor sculpture, installation art and liturgical art, often with a focus on political and social issues. His more than 140 exhibitions include works at Notre Dame and other universities nationwide as well as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His sculptures also have been placed in 50 public and private collections, and he has delivered more than three dozen public lectures across the country.
Chuck Lamphier
Chuck Lamphier serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from Notre Dame, Lamphier joined the Alliance for Catholic Education and served as a high school teacher and campus minister for four years at Saint Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas. Lamphier returned to work at Notre Dame in 2007, first with the Alliance for Catholic Education and then with the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs. He holds Masters degrees in Nonprofit Administration and Education, and he and his wife have three children.
Katie Smith
Katie Smith serves as the Associate Director of the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, working with programs for faculty and staff including the Faculty Chaplaincy Program and the Sorin Seminar for Faculty. Katie holds an M.Div. from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, Katie served as Executive Director of Endow Groups. Katie resides in South Bend with her husband, son, and German Shepherd.
Darlene Nowakowski
Darlene Nowakowski serves as the Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs. In this role, Darlene provides administrative support to the Vice President and the OMECA office.
Prior to serving in this role, Darlene served as the Undergraduate Studies Coordinator in the Political Science Department for seven years. Darlene was involved with SAS (Staff Advisory Support) committee for 3 years and was President for a year.
Darlene and her husband, Christopher, have two daughters.
Anne Horcher
Anne Horcher serves as the Program Manager for the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs. After graduating from Notre Dame, Anne returned to campus to get an M.A. in English, where her research focused on the social impact of sacramental confession. During her time as a graduate student, she served as an Assistant Rector in Badin Hall, which she believes has the most beautiful dorm chapel on campus. A Chicagoland native who loves South Bend, Anne is happy to be able to work at the place she’s called home for so long.