carmen alvarez gunneson f, p '04, '07
Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, Carmen Alvarez Gunneson is a first-generation American of Argentinian and Spanish descent. Growing up, she conversed with her mother in Spanish and has fond memories of trips to Argentina and Spain to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gunneson graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Communications. However, her mother told her, "You will be a Spanish teacher." And so, it was. Gunneson retired from teaching at the end of the academic year, closing out a 31-year career as a Spanish teacher.
After Fordham, Gunneson pursued advanced studies at Brooklyn College and Southern Connecticut State University. She began her teaching career at JHS 201 in Queens. When she and her husband, Gary, moved to Connecticut, she took a part-time teaching position at St. Mary's Parochial School in Branford. Her ND career began in 2002.
Gunneson brought experience, innovation, and leadership with her to Notre Dame. She served as Chairperson of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and spearheaded the implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy awarded by the Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers. She commented, "I am pleased that Notre Dame supported this initiative. I am very proud of the students who have been awarded the Seal in Spanish and French, Italian, Chinese, and Latin."
Gunneson's dedication to Notre Dame and her students goes beyond the classroom. She served as a faculty representative to the Board of Directors and the Ronald Reagan Political Discussion Club moderator. When NDXL, Notre Dame's two-week experiential learning program, was introduced, she organized a trip to Spain and accompanied the 15 student participants. She also developed an NDXL Criminal Justice curriculum and conducted the class in 2022 and 2023.
Carmen and Gary Gunneson are the parents of Christian '04 and Stephen '07. They recently moved their primary residence to Largo, Florida.
