Lou Charest
About Lou Charest
Lou Charest serves as the Manager of University Engagement at Catholic Relief Services, a position he has held since 2014. He has a diverse background in volunteer programs and university ministry, with degrees from Villanova University and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Lou Charest has been working at Catholic Relief Services since 2014, currently holding the position of Manager, University Engagement. In this role, he focuses on building partnerships with universities to enhance engagement and support for the organization's mission. Prior to his current position, he served as a Program Officer at Catholic Relief Services from 2010 to 2014, where he was involved in various programmatic initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Lou Charest studied at Villanova University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. He also studied at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, achieving proficiency in Spanish. His educational background supports his expertise in university engagement and program development.
Background
Lou Charest's professional background includes diverse roles in volunteer and ministry work. He served as an International Volunteer with the Augustinian Volunteer Program from 2004 to 2005, working in Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. Following this, he worked as a University Minister at the University of San Diego from 2005 to 2006, and later held positions with Notre Dame Americorps as Site Director in Washington, D.C., and Director of Development in Baltimore, Maryland.
Career Progression
Lou Charest's career has progressed through various roles in educational and volunteer organizations. After his initial volunteer experience, he transitioned to a Campus Ministry Intern at Villanova University from 2006 to 2008. He then took on leadership roles at Notre Dame Americorps before joining Catholic Relief Services, where he has continued to develop his career in university engagement.