By Samantha Gassman
When Erin Freel graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000, she was ready to serve her country with distinction. As an intelligence analyst and targeteer, she deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. But after five years of active duty, Erin made a key decision: to leave her military career to support her husband’s service and raise their two children. That choice started a 20-year journey of advocacy, leadership, and eventually returning to education at the University of Notre Dame.
After stopping and starting her education a couple of times as her family moved around the country, Erin is now enrolled in the Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) program at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. There, Erin is not just pursuing a degree, she’s building a legacy rooted in service, resilience, and lifelong learning.
A Military Friendly® Campus with Deep Roots
Notre Dame’s support for military-affiliated students is not just policy, it’s tradition.
“It’s literally carved into the stone of the place,” Erin said, referencing the east door of the Basilica, which reads: God, Country, Notre Dame. The inscription honors Notre Dame students who died in World War I and reflects the university’s enduring commitment to service.
During World War II, Notre Dame nearly closed when thousands of its all-male student body served in the military. The Navy stepped in, transforming the campus into a training site for officers. In appreciation of the Navy, Father Theodore Hesburgh pledged that Notre Dame would play Navy in football every year, a tradition that continues to this day.
This deep bond with the military is also evident in the university’s programs and culture. Erin described how her son was invited to a military welcome reception during his freshman orientation, and how the Mendoza College of Business hosts a Notre Dame Vets group that fosters connection and support.
The Power of Education for Military Spouses
For Erin, education has always been more than a credential; it’s a calling.
“I’ve always found purpose in nonprofit leadership,” she said. “But I realized that if I wanted to make a lasting impact, I needed to formalize my experience with a degree.”
That realization led her to Notre Dame, where she joined a cohort of accomplished professionals in the EMNA program, including human rights lawyers, executives, and even a Navy SEAL.
Her academic journey is also a family affair. Her husband, Charlie, is a proud 1997 Notre Dame graduate and currently serves as commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 225, where he mentors and guides cadets from Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, Holy Cross, Valparaiso, and Trine University. Their son, Connor, is a sophomore at the Keough School of Global Affairs. “We’re a Notre Dame family,” Erin said.
Erin’s story is a powerful example of how education can empower military spouses to reclaim their professional identities and pursue meaningful careers.
“Never hesitate to do something for yourself that makes you think and grow,” she advised. “Even if it gets interrupted, you can always pick it up later.”
Looking Ahead: Teaching, Consulting, and Community Impact
With graduation set for May 2027, Erin is already envisioning her next chapter. She’s exploring a doctoral degree in global affairs and hopes to teach at the University of Notre Dame.
“I want to combine my intelligence background with nonprofit leadership to work in the international NGO space,” she said.
As her husband approaches retirement, Erin is preparing for a new chapter, one in which she has the chance to take the lead professionally. “I told him, you’re OK with being a house husband, right?” she laughed. “He swears he’ll be fine sorting LEGO.”
Whether she’s consulting, teaching, or leading a nonprofit, Erin’s mission remains clear: to serve others through education, advocacy, and action. “Notre Dame has given me the tools, the community, and the confidence to do that,” she said.
Read this full article and more in the Fall 2025 Issue of Military Spouse magazine.
