Ella Bussell

Ella is a sophomore political science major at Notre Dame. She lives in Ryan Hall on campus, where she is a hall clerk. Her favorite hall tradition takes place on Tuesday nights, when Ryan Hall’s Priest-in-Residence, Fr. Joe Carey, C.S.C., hosts “FJ’s," an ice cream and cookie social during which all treats are made from scratch.

One of the reasons she loves Notre Dame, she says, is, "Notre Dame cherishes its students—on campus you are valued, loved, and prayed for daily."

Ella works in admissions as a rural intern, and she is involved with Student Government, the Hall Senate, and went through the Kellogg's Pre-Experiencing the World program in Zambia. She is also a McInerney Fellow, is in the Tranformational Leaders Program, is aprt of the President's Circle Mentorship Program, and is a Moreau Peer Leader.  Before coming to Notre Dame, Ella participated in the RISE Hometown program through the Institute for Social Concerns. Ella will attend ND's Washington Program in the spring of 2026. 

Ask Ella about student government, coming to ND from a rural/small town, FGLI resources, southern accents, and Cincy sports.