Meet the Hall Staff

Nic Schoppe

Rector

Nic Schoppe was born and raised in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Nic attended Saint Joseph’s University (‘22), Philadelphia’s Jesuit institution, where he majored in Sports Marketing and minored in Justice & Ethics in the Law. Nic was on the Water Polo team at St. Joe’s for all four of his undergrad years, helping lead the team to its first ever division championship in 2019. Nic was also very involved in many aspects of student life and athletics, including serving as an RA and Head RA for three years and working with the Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams. Nic completed his Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration & Leadership from Villanova University (‘24). While at Villanova, Nic served as a Graduate Resident Director for three upperclassmen residence halls and the largest first year residence hall on campus. Nic also served as the Graduate Assistant for the Ursinus Center for Advocacy, Responsibility, and Engagement at Ursinus College and completed an ACUHO-i internship at the University of Notre Dame. Through these experiences, Nic fell in love with Catholic higher education and the world of student affairs because of the meaningful work, personal connections, and the ability to help empower students to be successful and become the best versions of themselves.

Office Telephone: 574-631-4021

Father Jim Lies, CSC

Priest in Residence

Fr. Jim Lies, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, joined the Nanovic Institute in 2023. He serves as Senior Advisor for Faculty Fellows Affairs and Partnerships and as a Professor of Teaching. His teaching and research have been in the areas of adolescent thriving, moral development, and Catholic Social Teaching. He serves as priest-in-residence in Duncan Hall and provides sacramental support in Jenkins Nanovic Halls. Fr. Jim earned a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas (MN), an M.A. from Notre Dame, an M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Minnesota. Since ordination, he has ministered at three Holy Cross institutions: Notre Dame, 1996-2000 (Campus Ministry’s assistant director of spirituality and retreats and as rector of Zahm Hall); 2017-2023 (Director of Catholic Initiatives and Outreach, and as Academic Director, at Notre Dame London; 2023-present (Nanovic Institute); the University of Portland, 2005-12 (Assistant/associate professor of psychology and executive director of the Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture); and Stonehill College, 2012-17 (vice president for mission and associate professor of psychology).

Kevin Biergans

Assistant Rector

Born and raised in East Lansing, Michigan, Kevin Biergans is entering the ESTEEM graduate program at The University of Notre Dame. He earned his undergraduate degree is Physiology with a minor in Business from Michigan State University, after starting at Lansing Community College. During his time at MSU, he lived in the Chick Evans Scholarship House, where he served as both social chair and class president. A lifelong Notre Dame fan, he has made countless trips to South Bend over the past decade—so this move feels like a long time coming. Kevin grew up in a sports-centered family with two brothers—one a year older, one a year younger. He played football, basketball, and golf growing up and remains an avid fan of college sports. He also has a strong passion for health and fitness and can usually be found in the gym or on a run when he’s not working on his latest project. Faith has always been an important part of Kevin’s life, and his family attends Resurrection Parish in downtown Lansing. Looking ahead, he is eager to build on his work with the Patient Advocate startup he co-founded with his mom and older brother in the Spring of 2024. Go Irish!

Gordie McDonell

Assistant Rector