Rev. Gerard J. Olinger, C.S.C., serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, where he leads the holistic formation of students across six key areas: Residential Life, Campus Ministry, Diversity and Engagement, Student Development, Student Health and Wellness, and Career and Professional Development. Deeply committed to their faith and spiritual formation and fostering a sense of belonging, he seeks to empower students to thrive intellectually, spiritually, and communally within a vibrant campus community. He also serves as an in-residence priest in Alumni Hall.
Prior to his current role, Fr. Olinger served as Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs at Notre Dame. In this capacity, he strengthened the University's Catholic and Holy Cross mission, serving as a liaison to the Congregation of Holy Cross, the U.S. Bishops, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the Holy See. He also oversaw the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, fostering ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, Fr. Olinger oversaw the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin and the Grotto Network, a digital media platform for engaging young adults in the Catholic faith.
Before returning to Notre Dame in 2018, Fr. Olinger held several senior administrative roles at the University of Portland, including Vice President for University Relations, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Executive Assistant to the President. He also served as a concurrent assistant professor of political science, teaching courses on character ethics and the U.S. judicial system.
A native of Springfield, Pennsylvania, Fr. Olinger earned a bachelor's degree in history and government (magna cum laude), a juris doctor (cum laude), and a master of divinity from the University of Notre Dame. He is a member of the state bars of Indiana and Pennsylvania. Fr. Olinger currently serves on the boards of trustees for Stonehill College and the Strada Education Foundation and is an elected provincial councilor for the United States Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He previously served as a trustee for the University of Notre Dame, King's College, the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities, and De La Salle North Catholic High School.