How the ‘great books’ prepared Program of Liberal Studies major Quinn McKenna ’23 for her postgrad chapters

May 15, 2026 Hailey Oppenlander Program of Liberal Studies major Quinn McKenna ’23 knows that even the “great books” are built one line, one chapter at a time. The best career advice she got from her professors was to do exactly that: focus on just the next chapter. “If you let your interests and your passion guide this next chapter, everything will unfold as it should,” she said. Since graduating, the south Florida native has worked at a South Bend non-profit, taught in Panama on a Fulbright scholarship, and worked in marketing consulting for purpose-driven clients that include Notre Dame. Her liberal arts education empowered her with the writing and critical thinking skills to thrive across all of these unique chapters. “The liberal arts open doors and possibilities,” she said. “And prepare you well for whichever path you decide to take.” A time of growth As a self-proclaimed “book nerd,” McKenna was immediately drawn to the Program of Liberal Studies’ promise of the opportunity to analyze foundational texts in small, intimate class settings. “The primary thing I wanted out of my education was growth, immersion, and excitement,” she said. “I wanted to go to class excited about what I was going to learn.” In the major and in the College of Arts & Letters as a whole, she found a community of students with this same desire. “Arts & Letters students have this insatiable curiosity about the world that is not easily quenched,” she said. McKenna and her classmates — representing a wide range of interests, backgrounds, and beliefs — were all discerning their career paths. Going through this process brought them closer together and even provided a means of clarity. “I have friends who are Montessori school teachers. I have friends who are in venture capital, in finance. One joined the priesthood,” McKenna said. “That gave us all a really good opportunity to bounce ideas off of each other and figure out for ourselves what we felt called to do.” McKenna’s first chapter after graduation was with the nonprofit Downtown South Bend — a natural extension of her role as director of South Bend engagement in student government. She helped plan community engagement events like First Fridays, creating opportunities for local businesses and community members to connect and thrive. Then McKenna followed her passions to something — and somewhere — new. “I made a promise to myself that I would try to do a postgrad program or other form of extended international experience because I wanted to open my mind to the global sphere and experience true cross-cultural immersion,” she said. With support from the Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement, McKenna applied for and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Chiriqui, Panama. This chapter allowed McKenna to further explore her interest in teaching. While at Notre Dame, she worked with TutorND, volunteered with the Take 10 Violence Prevention Program in South Bend schools, and worked at the Early Childhood Development Center on campus. She was also an Education, Schooling, and Society minor. McKenna had also taught English to sixth-grade students in Panama through the Institute for Social Concerns, though it was on Zoom due to the pandemic. This in-person Fulbright experience offered a new form of personal and professional growth. McKenna taught English classes across multiple levels, even designing curriculum and teaching a university-level English literature course. “Teaching and speaking a different language is another incredible way to improve communication and critical thinking skills,” she said. Everything from renting a car in Spanish, to standing in front of a classroom, to presenting in an auditorium of hundreds of TESOL teachers, made her a stronger, more independent thinker — and even helped prepare her for her next chapter in the private sector. Bringing curiosity to consulting As her Fulbright ended, McKenna wanted to lean further into the communication skills she gained teaching abroad. “It's all about knowing your audience and gearing what you're saying to resonate with that audience,” she said. “By teaching and speaking in another language, you learn how to break the same idea into different pieces based on your audience, finding ways to change wording but still articulate the same meaning.” This directly influenced her decision to pursue a career in marketing consulting. McKenna was drawn to firm Global Prairie’s mission-driven clients, including university health systems, nonprofits, and even college athletics departments. Global Prairie’s founder — Anne St. Peter, the parent of a Notre Dame graduate — recognized the value liberal arts majors bring to business. “She believes liberal arts students bring a curiosity and quickness that are incredibly valuable,” McKenna said. Today, McKenna enjoys helping brands figure out who they are — a question that is familiar to the Program of Liberal Studies. One of her current clients is Hesburgh Women of Impact. McKenna and her colleagues worked with program director Kari Tarman and Sara Liebscher, associate vice president of development, on a refreshed brand identity. They used it to develop their new website and the design themes and materials for the Women for Good Annual Weekend, and HWOI’s marquee event. “I will always be grateful for my liberal arts education,” McKenna said. “I’ve not had a single regret in terms of what I studied and what direction I ended up taking.” McKenna’s favorite text from the Program of Liberal Studies is The Way Things Are by the ancient Roman philosopher and poet Lucretius. In it, Lucretius describes life not as something with an end to fear, but as a great feast for one to enjoy and leave satisfied and grateful. “That is the approach to life I want to take,” McKenna said. “I want to be present, be grateful for where I am, and let that gratitude satiate me.” Posted In DepartmentsAlumni In memoriam: Gilberto Cárdenas, professor emeritus of sociology and founding director of the Institute of Latino Studies July 29, 2026 Ken Kollman to succeed David Campbell as Democracy Initiative director in January July 22, 2026 Notre Dame political scientist David Campbell appointed to Kluge Chair in American Law and Governance July 20, 2026