Congratulations, Peace Studies Class of 2022 // News // Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies // University of Notre Dame

The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies celebrates the graduation of 18 undergraduate seniors who completed either a supplementary major or minor in peace studies, 5 undergraduate students who completed the supplementary major in global affairs with a concentration in international peace studies, 4 Kroc Scholars who completed the master of global affairs, international peace studies concentration at the Keough School of Global Affairs, 6 students who completed a graduate minor in peace studies, and 5 graduates of the Institute’s doctoral program.

“At the Kroc Institute, our alumni network is now 1,900 people and counting, and we welcome this new group of graduates into this very effective network of peacebuilders,” said Asher Kaufman, John M. Regan, Jr. Director of the Kroc Institute. “We look forward to learning from their continued fine work for peace and justice out in the world.”

The Undergraduate Program in Peace Studies

The University of Notre Dame undergraduate Class of 2022 includes the following students who completed either a supplementary major or minor in peace studies.

• Grace AkinFilm, Television, and Theater Major, Minors in Peace Studies and Sustainability
• Samantha Bader, Political Science Major, Minors in Peace Studies and Gender Studies
• Matthew BisnerPolitical Science Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies, and Minor in Gender Studies
• Anna BrierPolitical Science Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies
• Grace ConroyMarketing Major, Minor in Peace Studies
• Duncan DonahueSociology Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies, Minor in Africana Studies
• Julianne DowningAmerican Studies Major and Supplementary Major in Peace Studies
• Josephine FlanaganPolitical Science Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies
• Christina GrossiArabic Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies, and Minor in Business Economics
• Martin KennedySociology Major, Supplementary Major in Peace Studies, Minor in Data Science
• Dinah LawanPolitical Science Major, Minor in Peace Studies
• Rose McKeonAnthropology Major, Minors in Peace Studies, Korean, and Digital Marketing
• Jane MusemaBiological Sciences Major, Minors Peace Studies and Anthropology
• Isabella RodriguezBiology Major, Minors in Peace Studies and History
• Alexandra Schuab GayaPsychology Major, Minors in Peace Studies, Business Economics, and Digital Marketing
• Victoria SmerdonElectrical Engineering Major, Minor in Peace Studies
• Clare Stoyell-MulhollandNeuroscience and Behavior Major, Minor in Peace Studies
• Madeline WardPolitical Science Major, Supplementary Major in Applied Computational Mathematics and Science, and Minors in Peace Studies and Catholic Social Tradition

In addition, 5 students completed a concentration in international peace studies as part of their supplementary major in global affairs.

• Alexa DalgleishPolitical Science Major
• Ciara DonovanPolitical Science Major and Minors in Hesburgh Program in Public Service and Studio Art
• Devin McCarthyPolitical Science Major
• Mariah SmithArabic Major
• Analiese TisaPsychology Major, Minor in Social Entrepreneurship

During a recognition event on May 13, two students were honored with the Senior Seminar Essay Award, given annually to two graduating peace studies students who have demonstrated excellence in peace studies research and academic writing within the field of peace studies. Devin McCarthy received first place for his essay, “Peace for the Other Forty Percent: Post-Civil War Processes in Nepal,” and Christina Grossi was awarded second place for her essay, “Post-Katrina Education Reform: The Case for an Intersectional Approach to Structural Violence.”

Master of Global Affairs, International Peace Studies Graduates

This year, the Keough School of Global Affairs celebrated its fourth class of master of global affairs graduates. This year’s graduating cohort began in fall 2020, and is smaller due to pandemic-related travel restrictions that were in place at the start of that semester.

Four Kroc Scholars completed the master of global affairs, international peace studies concentration, administered by the Kroc Institute.

• Bryanna BeamerUnited States
• Lenai Taylor JohnsonUnited States
• Rachael RosenbergUnited States
• Clara Villatoro HuezoEl Salvador

Graduate Minors in Peace Studies

Six students completed a graduate minor in peace studies.

• Niloofar AdnaniMaster of Global Affairs, Global Affairs Concentration
• Brianna Conaghan, Master of Global Affairs, Global Affairs Concentration
• Timothy DerrMaster of Global Affairs, Sustainable Development Concentration and Master of Business Administration in Business Leadership and Strategy
• George Obinna Ike, Master of Theological Studies
• Emily KaplanMaster of Global Affairs, Global Affairs Concentration
• Kimberlie OrrMaster of Global Affairs, Global Affairs Concentration

Peace Studies Doctoral Program Graduates

The Kroc Institute also honored 5 doctoral students who have completed the Kroc Institute’s Ph.D. program in peace studies since August 2021. The doctoral program prepares students who are fully trained and professionalized in both the multidisciplinary field of peace studies and one of six traditional disciplines (anthropology, history, psychology, political science, sociology, or theology).

The doctoral class of 2022 includes:

• Anna Fettpeace studies and history;
• Katherine Greinpeace studies and psychology;
• Maryam Rokhidepeace studies and anthropology;
• Steven Savides, peace studies and theology; and
• Kathryn Scraffordpeace studies and psychology.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Throughout May and June, the Kroc Institute will be featuring graduating students via Facebook and Instagram. follow-along @KrocInstitute to celebrate the peace studies class of 2022.

About the Kroc Institute: The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, which is part of the Keough School of Global Affairs, supports study, research and practice centered on strategies for sustainable peace and supports undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students in peace studies.