The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award - 2017: Stephanie Miley ’82

The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award, named in honor of Notre Dame’s 14th president, honors an alumnus or alumna who has performed outstanding service in the field of government or public service. The 2017 recipient of the Cavanaugh Award is Stephanie Miley ’82.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Miley joined the U.S. Mission to Morocco as the Deputy Chief of Mission in August 2016 and became Chargé d’Affaires in January 2017.

Over the past 27 years, she has worked on a range of economic and political issues and has spent almost a decade overseas and in Washington working on post-conflict stabilization efforts as well as civil-military and political-military affairs. Washington assignments have included the National Security Council and the staff of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Overseas assignments have taken her to the Dominican Republic, Finland, the Sinai Desert, Kosovo, Iraq, Belgium, and Mexico.

During U.S. reconstruction efforts in Iraq, Miley volunteered twice as a Foreign Service Officer in a combat zone, working to help establish political stability and civilian governance. While serving in Mexico, she helped promote women’s economic empowerment and access to justice. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly as a diplomat around the world, drawing on the Notre Dame vision of being a force for good.

“As envisioned by Father Sorin, Notre Dame continues to be ‘one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country’ through the myriad paths of service she inspires in her students, faculty, parents, and partners. It is a privilege to be a public servant and an honor to be nominated for and receive the John J. Cavanaugh Award and be counted among those who embody Notre Dame’s commitment to doing good in this country and around the world.”