Dawn Rizek supports the human resource and administrative functions for the Keough School, ensuring that policies and guidelines are implemented and aligned with the university and Keough School expectations. She also collaborates with colleagues across the Keough School’s nine institutes and centers in developing consistent, efficient, effective, and inclusive staffing structures, community-building opportunities, recognition programs, and professional development initiatives.

Prior to joining the Keough School, Rizek was the program manager for the Notre Dame Graduate School, where she served as the primary project manager, convening and leading cross-functional teams in the planning and execution of large strategic events, while also managing the communication efforts by prioritizing and tracking projects and developing an annual communications plan. Most recently, Rizek served as associate director for graduate career services where she led a team of four graduate consultants supporting doctoral and masters students in their career development. Before coming to Notre Dame in 2016, Rizek held leadership roles with Marriott International, Wells Fargo Bank, and Press Ganey Associates.

Rizek holds a bachelor of science degree in restaurant, hotel, institutional, and tourism management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and completed the university’s Principles of Leadership program in the spring of 2022.