Kenneth Heckel
Kenneth Heckel is Notre Dame’s director of military and veterans affairs. In this capacity, he provides strategic direction on behalf of the provost for the University’s national defense, military, and veteran-related programs. Heckel works closely with students, faculty, administrators, staff, and external partners to create, manage, and coordinate defense, military and veteran-related initiatives across the academic enterprise.
Prior to this appointment, Heckel was a regional director of development at Notre Dame, working closely with alumni, parents, and friends who aspire to have a transformational impact on Notre Dame, as it realizes its mission to remain a force for good in the world.
As a 23-year veteran and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, Heckel served in operational organizations and assignments across the world. While stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Heckel served as a commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, as well as a staff officer in the 3rd Special Forces Group. During his initial overseas deployments, Heckel served as a staff officer during peace-keeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1999, and during the early phases of operations in Afghanistan in 2002 with the 3rd Special Forces Group. Heckel also served as a commander during his two deployments to Iraq in 2003 and 2010, as part of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
When not serving overseas or in operational assignments, Heckel spent the balance of his military career as an Assistant Professor of Economics and the Director of Academy Advancement at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Heckel received numerous awards and honors for his military service, most notably the Legion of Merit medal, multiple Bronze Star medals, and the Senior Parachutist Badge.
Heckel holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a distinguished military graduate and scholar in the Army Reserve Officer Training Program. Heckel also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, and is currently pursuing a doctorate of higher education administration from Northeastern University.
He and his wife, Jen, along with their two children, reside in the South Bend area. Jen is also a graduate of Notre Dame, former adjunct professor in the Mendoza College of Business, and current Director of Marketing for Notre Dame’s University Enterprises & Events.