Iona Hughan
Year: 2014
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Dorm: Lyons Hall
Majors(s)/Minor(s): Program of Liberal Studies/Poverty Studies
Iona thinks that one of the coolest things about Notre Dame is the abundance of service opportunities that are found here. She became a Poverty Studies minor in order to become more aware of and involved in those opportunities, get connected with peers and faculty who are inclined to serve a greater world, and to unpack the issues that come up during service in the classroom environment through real, provocative discussion and study. Iona says, "It's really a win-win-win of a minor!"
Through the CSC, Iona went to Kentucky for the Appalachia Seminar in both the fall and spring of her freshman year, and she is headed to D.C. this fall to study issues of bioethics and human dignity in a seminar called the "Gospel of Life."
During the year, Iona volunteers at an AIDS Counseling, Education and Prevention Center in South Bend called Imani Unidad. Iona's local work caused her to become interested in exploring similar issues on a global scale. Last summer, Iona spent eight weeks in South Africa at a Children's Home and Hospice Center. Regarding the experience, Iona said: "It was...well, everything. Ask me about it!"
In addition to pursuing her degrees through the Program of Liberal Studies and the Poverty Studies minor, Iona is also completing her nursing school pre-requisites through Notre Dame, as that's how she hopes to get involved with fighting sickness, neglect and poverty.
