Welcome to LifeDesign! - I hope we will meet soon if we have not already!
My name is Joe Drey, and I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2020! During my time as an undergrad, I lived in Dillon Hall, played trumpet in the marching band, danced in the ballroom dance club, and studied Political Science and International Development.
Since high school, I have been obsessed with food. I enjoy the juxtaposed tastes of salt and sugar, the health benefits of eating a good diet, and the memories of my family and friends gathering around for a warm meal. Yet, I am most fascinated by how food reflects culture, how different people choose and interact with the foods they eat, and how those choices impact their overall social and physical health. These interests inspired me to lead research projects in Accra, Ghana; Apia, Samoa; and Auckland, New Zealand. Not only did I experience some of the most amazing food of my life, but met people who inspired me to want to keep learning and growing (and eating).
Through much reflection, I realized my passion for food (along with my love for Disney, Trader Joe’s, restaurant ambiance & photo editing) is related to experiential design. Well-designed experiences change our feelings, shift our attitudes, and influence our decisions. With this assumption, I strive to design policies and experiences that might help to bring humanity together - happier, and healthier.
To this end, after graduation, I joined the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame with the mission of helping to design classes and experiences (like LifeDesign) that not only teach new skills but also help foster new relationships unearth the passions of others and are a lot of fun! I am excited to continue to work alongside the students in this class to answer better how to live a more joyful and purposeful life.
I am also pursuing a Masters Degree in Education Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania. I hope to continue to improve the classroom experiences for students, and work with professors to create courses and curricula that promote student wellbeing and flourishing.
I love meeting new people so please reach out to me anytime!
