Meet the Interns!

As a part of a partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education, the Aim Higher Foundation is thrilled to welcome three summer interns: Sofia Fair, Patrick Doland, and Frederick White.

Sofia Fair

Advancement Intern

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sofia is studying accounting and theology at the University of Notre Dame. She will collect and write stories regarding the critical impact AHF scholarships have on schools, parents and students. Through this storytelling role, she hopes to share the importance of Aim Higher’s work and the donors that support it.

How has Catholic education shaped who you are?

While I grew up loving my K-12 education in the public school system, the fully integrated life I was searching for was only made possible by my Catholic education at Notre Dame. I have found that education deeply shapes a person, at any stage of one’s life. My experience starting class in prayer, having theological conversations with classmates, and attending Mass with peers and professors has deeply changed the ways in which I approach my work, my play, and my relationships.

What drew you to work with the Aim Higher Foundation?

The impact stories of each and every scholarship are so inspiring! What might seem small to some can clearly mean the world to others. The ceaseless focus on impact that the Aim Higher Foundation integrates in every aspect of their work drew me to the team and the role that I might play in this crucial task of making Catholic education accessible to all.

Top bucket list item for your summer here in Minnesota?

Go for walks or runs around as many lakes as possible!

Patrick Dolan

Data & Operations Intern

From Sea Girt, New Jersey, Pat is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame where he majors in economics with minors in sociology and data science. He plans to pursue a Master’s of Education through Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education in Fall 2026. This summer, Pat will focus on updating and enhancing the foundation’s alumni database to provide meaningful insights into the long-term impact of its scholarship programs and the effectiveness of donor engagement.

How has Catholic education shaped who you are?

I feel incredibly grateful to have attended Catholic schools throughout my entire life and to continue this journey at the University of Notre Dame. I believe that Catholic education has been deeply formative for me, nurturing not just my academic growth, but also my moral development, spiritual life, and sense of service to others: it has played a central role in shaping who I am today.

What drew you to work with the Aim Higher Foundation?

I believe a Catholic education is an invaluable gift for both students and families. I deeply admire Aim Higher’s mission to make this opportunity more accessible to all who seek it, and I am excited to contribute to this mission and help move it forward.

Top bucket list item for your summer here in Minnesota?

Outside of work, I’m excited to make the most of my summer in Minnesota by exploring as many of the state’s beautiful lakes as possible. I also want to find some fantastic cheese curds.

Frederick White

Alumni Relations

Freddie is from the eastside of Atlanta and a rising junior at Notre Dame. He is majoring in Strategic Management with minors in Business and the Common Good & Education, Schooling, and Society. Freddie is working to develop and build a young professional board of Aim Higher alums who will support our mission by championing the values of the Aim Higher Foundation.

How has Catholic education shaped who you are?

My first experience with Catholic education was when I started high school, and it was genuinely one of the best decisions for me. I found a community of people I would have never found otherwise and that helped me grow into the person I am now at Notre Dame.

What drew you to work with the Aim Higher Foundation?

Where I grew up in Atlanta, educational attainment was a huge issue for my friends and I. I was lucky enough to find a way to enter an amazing high school, but that was not the case for a lot of people I once knew. There are so many barriers on people in my community and seeing the work that the Aim Higher Foundation is doing, it resonated with me as I want to fight and get rid of those barriers just as they do here.

Top bucket list item for your summer here in Minnesota?

To explore all of the beautiful nature that Minnesota has to offer. I am very big on nature!