Volunteer of the Year Award - 2024: Adriana Holguin '00
Adriana Holguin '00
Remarks from Dolly Duffy ’84, Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association and Associate Vice President of University Relations, as she presented this year's award:
It is now my privilege to introduce an award that recognizes the incredible work of our volunteer network. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented each year at Leadership Conference to shine a spotlight on an alum, parent, or friend who has dedicated themselves to serving the Notre Dame family in their community — or in the case of today’s honoree, several communities!
This year’s Volunteer of the Year, Adriana Holguin, is a member of the Class of 2000, a former resident of Lewis Hall and currently serves as communications coordinator, social media coordinator, and webmaster for four clubs — Dallas, Houston, El Paso and her home club of San Diego — as well as diversity coordinator and membership coordinator for the San Diego club. And those are just some of the roles she’s held over the years!
The president of the ND Club of San Diego, Ihuoma Nwaogwugwu, describes Adriana as the backbone of the club, “happy to wear any hat, she knows every Domer by name, and always has a great idea for new events. She is truly a force for good and embodies the spirit of Our Lady through the NDAA communities.”
We at the Alumni Association know this first-hand, too. When the football team traveled to El Paso in December for the Sun Bowl, Adriana was at the forefront of organizing a successful weekend for the Notre Dame family in town for the game. Not only that, she helped out with a social media takeover of our Alumni Association Instagram page, helping to share the experience with alumni, parents, and friends, who couldn’t be there.
She’s a constant presence on ClubHub webinars and readily offers best practices and recommendations to fellow club leaders.
One club leader in Houston shared that Adriana has been instrumental in boosting the club’s engagement since stepping in to help with marketing and communications. “We would sometimes go months without sending a newsletter because we had no formal process and volunteer to handle it. Now, our communications are the best they have ever been,” they wrote.
She’s provided similar support in Dallas, where she has built the foundation for a stronger social media presence for the club. She’s now transitioning out of the role and handing over the reins to a new social media coordinator, but as one club leader put it, “Her dedication to our club cannot be measured!”
Clearly, Adriana has left her mark on the Notre Dame family. On behalf of Notre Dame and the Alumni Association, I’m honored now to introduce to you the Volunteer of the Year for 2024, Adriana Holguin!