Celebrating the 2024 Kroc School of Peace Studies Graduates

The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies congratulates all of the 2024 graduates at the University of San Diego. In honor of this momentous occasion, the Kroc School hosted a graduation celebration and award ceremony to honor the achievements of its graduate students. 

The commencement weekend kicked off on Friday, May 24, with a series of reflective and celebratory events designed to honor the hard work and dedication of our students. The atmosphere was electric as family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2024.

• 18 students from MA in Peace and Justice program
• 13 students from MA in Social Innovation program
• 11 students from MS in Conflict Management and Resolution program
• 5 students from our Dual Degree JD/MA in Peace and Justice program
• 10 students from our MS in Humanitarian Action program

Kroc School Graduating Class of 2024

Let's take a look back at the memorable moments that defined this extraordinary event.

Kroc School Graduation Celebration & Awards Ceremony

The ceremony began with Provost and Interim Kroc School Dean Gail F. Baker, PhD to the stage, welcoming the graduates, their friends, families, and loved ones on the special occasion, “It’s such a great time for us to pause, to reflect, think about this past year, and to celebrate our fabulous graduates.”

USD Provost and Interim Kroc School Dean Gail Baker, PhD

Student Speeches

The heart of the ceremony was the student speeches. Professor Juan Roche introduced the class speakers, highlighting the Kroc Grad School Association President, Shanadi Eissa Hamida, who was recognized for her dedication and leadership and gave a heartfelt speech. The program student speakers, representing each program, shared their personal experiences, reflections and gratitude for their colleagues. The class speakers were:

• MA in Peace and Justice Class Speaker: Thomas Oliver
• MA in Social Innovation Class Speaker: Donovan Tomony
• MS in Conflict Management and Resolution Class Speaker: Raquel Rodriguez
• MS in Humanitarian Action Class Speaker: Nicole Aryan

MSCMR Class Speaker Raquel Rodriguez and her dog Ollie

Each speaker brought their own messages of hope and gratitude, but each contained a call to continue the mission of peace and justice beyond the Kroc School.

Academic Awards

Professor May Farid then took to the stage to announce the recipients of this year’s academic awards.

• Best long-form piece was awarded to Tian Ford for "An Identity-Based Approach to Political Polarization."
• Best short-form piece was awarded to Obaid Ullah for his "Pakistan Monitoring Report."
• MSHA Academic Excellence Award was awarded to Allison Patak for her outstanding scholarly achievement and leadership in humanitarian principles.

Best Portfolio Awards

Professor Paula Cordiero introduced the Best Portfolio Awards, celebrating the comprehensive and impactful work of three students:

• Best MAPJ Portfolio: Leeya Appleby
• Best CMR Portfolio: Gaelle Hamandi
• Best MASI Portfolio: Father Bethrand Ujunwa

Gail Baker, PhD, Leeya Appleby & Paula Cordiero, EdD

Community Awards

The Community Engagement Awards, recognizing students who made significant contributions to the Kroc School community and beyond:

• Patricia Marquez Innovator Award: Father Bethrand Ujunwa for his creative work within the Catholic institution and social innovation in Nigeria.
• John Patterson Humanitarian Promise Award: Alece Rutherford for their dedication to volunteer work and empowering others, particularly with Zawadisha in Kenya.
• Necla Tschirgi Civic Engagement Award: Aliza Carns, Eva Koelzer, and Madeleine Koehn for organizing the Gender Advocacy Series.
• Joan B. Kroc Award: Jessica Schwartz and Shanadi Eissa Hamida for their exceptional contributions to the Kroc School community.

As the ceremony drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of pride and accomplishment in the air. The 2024 Kroc School of Peace Studies commencement weekend was a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to peace and justice exhibited by our graduates. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our students and look forward to seeing the impact they will undoubtedly make in the world. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Watch the entire ceremony on our YouTube here.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to share your own memories and photos from the commencement weekend on social media using the hashtag #KrocProud. Let's continue to celebrate and support our new alumni as they embark on their journeys to create a more peaceful and just world.