Rev. James Lies, C.S.C.

Senior Advisor for Faculty Fellow Affairs and Partnerships

Fr. Jim Lies, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, joined the Nanovic Institute in 2023. He serves as senior advisor for faculty fellow affairs and partnerships and as a professor of teaching. His teaching and research have been in the areas of adolescent thriving, moral development, and Catholic Social Teaching. He also serves as priest-in-residence in Duncan Hall and provides sacramental support in Jenkins Nanovic Halls. Fr. Jim has a twin brother, Fr. Bill Lies, C.S.C., who was previously at Notre Dame but has served as provincial superior of the United States Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross since his election in 2018.

A Minnesotan, Fr. Jim earned a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas (MN), an M.A. from Notre Dame, an M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Minnesota. Since ordination, he has ministered at three Holy Cross institutions: Notre Dame, 1996-2000, as Campus Ministry’s assistant director of spirituality and retreats and as rector of Zahm Hall; the University of Portland, 2005-12, as assistant/associate professor of psychology and executive director of the Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture; and Stonehill College, 2012-17, as vice president for mission and associate professor of psychology. Most recently, Fr. Jim coordinated Catholic initiatives, the academic program for undergraduates, and academic research initiatives and partnerships for Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway, where he served from 2017 to 2023.