Missy Little, director of the Office of Budget and Planning, has been at Notre Dame for 15 years. Little, whose career began in public accounting, first worked at ND as the manager of internal audit. After a stint at Crowe Horwath, Little again joined ND in her current office in 2012.
This week, Little will move from her desk in Grace Hall to South Bend building sites as she takes part in Inauguration Build 2024. The build is a partnership between Notre Dame and Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County. NDWorks caught up with Little, who shares insight into her work at ND and her passion for Habitat for Humanity.
What does your job at ND consist of?
I’m responsible for the day-to-day management of the operational administration of the University’s budget and oversight of the training and campus support of the budgeting tools and processes.
What do you like most about your job?
Collaborating with different people across campus and having opportunities to initiate a project or process improvement that drives value and efficiencies for the University.
What makes you feel appreciated?
Seeing the results of my work and how it positively impacts the campus community.
What do you like most about working at Notre Dame?
A lot of things—the beautiful campus, the supportive community, the energy of the students, the excitement of the sporting events, and the strong sense of purpose that comes with being part of a shared mission.
In what capacity are you involved with Habitat for Humanity?
I have been a board member for the past six years and currently serve as chair of the board.
How did you come to be involved with Habitat?
I have been involved with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County since 2017. That year, I got a call from a board member who was a previous colleague of mine to see if I would be interested in volunteering to help coordinate the logistics for the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. “Absolutely!” was my answer. That week of hammering and building, as well as all the preparation and camaraderie created along the way, was such an amazing experience. It had a profound and positive impact on both our community and on me personally. Needless to say, I quickly caught what they call “Habititus.”
What is your involvement with the Inaugural Build?
I’m partnering with an incredible team at ND on the Inaugural Build planning committee. I feel very fortunate to have this unique opportunity to blend my work with Habitat and my role at Notre Dame to collaborate on a meaningful project like this.
What is the most rewarding part of working with Habitat?
Seeing the mission come to life, whether that’s through a Habitat build or a house closing, and the direct impact it has on families here in our community. Knowing you’re making a tangible difference in people’s lives and fostering a sense of hope and stability is very rewarding.
How is this Inaugural Build different from other builds?
The Inaugural Build is different from other Habitat builds for a few reasons: It’s in honor of our new president, Father Dowd; it features homes designed by Notre Dame architecture students; and all the volunteers are Notre Dame employees. This build also aligns the missions of Notre Dame and Habitat in how they are both committed to service and community. I feel like this is more than just a construction project—it’s a reflection of Notre Dame’s values in action and a genuine partnership with Habitat to provide more affordable housing for our community.
Take a look back at the week-long build in this photo essay.