Dear Kroc School Students & Community,

Welcome to a new semester at the Kroc School of Peace Studies! Whether you are joining us for the first time, or are a returning student, we are excited to have you as part of our community of changemakers.  Our world needs your energy, creativity, and hard work for peace and social innovation more than ever, and we look forward to working together with you to make it happen.

What to Look Forward to THIS SEMESTER:

• Our faculty and staff continue to lead innovative research addressing some of the most pressing peacebuilding and conflict resolution issues. Check out Andy Blum's recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he discusses declining homicide rates in San Diego, offering insightful perspectives on the drivers of this reduction. You can read the full article here. Our graduate assistantship program offers students the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and staff on research like this.
• Events: I hope you will join me on October 8th at 12:30pm in the Casa de la Paz for our next lunch with the Dean. We’re going to develop a Communication Agreement for the School, and also talk about our organizational culture, so please stop by!
• Dialogue:  We will be co-hosting a campus-wide dialogue about the impact of the US elections on Nov. 19 in an effort to foster a conversation about what each of us can do to try to bridge partisan divides in the U.S. — time and location TBD, so stay tuned.
• Student Opportunities: I urge you to explore internships, fellowships, and networking opportunities to expand your professional portfolio and make meaningful connections during your time at USD.

Remember, the faculty and staff at the Kroc School are here to support you in every step of your academic and professional journey. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance, guidance, or simply someone to talk to — we’re here to help!  And my door is always open to you, so please drop by my office hours from 1 to 2 pm on Thursdays, or if that time doesn’t work for you, check in with Sara Woo (sarawoo@sandiego.edu) to grab a time on my calendar.

We’re so grateful to have you here with us, and for the chance to work with you.  We have much to do – let’s do it!

Best, 

Darren Kew

Dean, Kroc School of Peace Studies