Laura McAleer
Laura McAleer

Defense Dept. veteran Laura McAleer has joined the University of Notre Dame as associate VP for federal and Washington relations.

The Notre Dame graduate has more than 20 years of DC experience in both the executive and congressional branches.

At the DOD, McAleer served as assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs and was spokesperson on funding priorities.

She also worked on Capitol Hill as foreign policy and national security adviser for four senators dealing with defense, intelligence and homeland security matters.

In her new job, McAleer succeeds the retiring John Strum, who became Notre Dame's first DC lobbyist in 2012.