--- title: A Message from Stephen Commins, New Academic Director of the MS in Humanitarian Action Program description: The new Academic Director of the MS in Humanitarian Action program at the Kroc School shares his vision for centering local voices, advancing reform, and preparing students to lead in a changing humanitarian landscape. image: https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/Master-of-Science-in-Humanitarian-Action.jpg --- [Skip Navigation](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/a-message-from-stephen-commins-new-academic-director-of-the-ms-in-humanitarian-action-program#main) [![University of San Diego](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Branding%20Assets/logo-usd.png)](https://www.sandiego.edu/) [Joan B. 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The response to a global collapse in humanitarian funding and escalating crises, the ‘humanitarian reset’ has garnered widespread attention, seeking to direct the system reform agenda. It has also attracted extensive critiques, particularly owing to major decisions being made behind closed doors, with voices from the so-called Global North dominant.  The MSHA program is designed to include and value the perspectives of crisis-affected communities, whether those affected by disasters, displacement or conflict.  The program seeks to ensure that these voices have been thoughtfully amplified and it has been made clear that the ‘humanitarian reset’ must not fail local actors, but place people and local actors at the heart of humanitarian response. Please reach out to me with your ideas, questions, concerns and hopes, so that the MSHA program can continue to be based on human rights, humanitarian principles and the quest for peace and justice, and that we function together through learning, collaboration and community engagement.  You can reach me at **scommins@sandiego.edu** or connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-commins-104a813/). *- Stephen Commins, Academic Director, MS in Humanitarian Action* ![Stephen Commins](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/15688.jpg) About the Author [Stephen Commins](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/author/stephen-commins) Stephen Commins is the Academic Director of the Master of Science in Humanitarian Action program at the Kroc School of Peace Studies. He also serves as a Lecturer in Regional and International Development at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. With more than four decades of experience at the World Bank, the UK government, UN agencies, and international NGOs, his work has focused on human, social, and environmental development, particularly in disaster and fragile, conflict-affected settings. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ## Request More Information Please complete the form below to learn more about the Kroc School graduate programs. We will email you more information regarding each of our programs. If you would like to receive a program guide for a specific degree, please select a program. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ### Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies [Joan B. 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