The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies is proud to congratulate the Class of 2026 at the University of San Diego. To mark the occasion, the Kroc School hosted its annual graduation celebration and awards ceremony, an afternoon dedicated to honoring the achievements, resilience, and promise of this year's graduating students.
The Kroc School’s 2026 graduating cohorts included:
- MA in Peace and Justice — 15 students
- MA in Social Innovation — 13 students
- MS in Conflict Management and Resolution — 14 students
- MS in Humanitarian Action — 22 students
Kroc School Graduation Celebration & Awards Ceremony
Kroc School Dean Darren Kew opened the awards ceremony with congratulatory remarks, “Graduates, I want to leave you with one key thought before you take your next steps. Feel the energy in this room right now, and hold on to the bonds you've built with each other at this school. That is tremendously important, especially now, as you look around the world and see how much is changing. Think of yourselves as social impact consulting firms, as part of Kroc Consulting International. Think of your career not just as a series of jobs, but as a focused pursuit of the strategic goals you've been working toward since the day you arrived here."
Dean Kew Addressing the Graduates
Student Speeches
This year's ceremony featured remarks from student representatives across all four graduate programs:
- MAPJ Class Speaker: Khaing (Kai) Yadanar Phyoe
- MASI Class Speaker: John Michael Maury
- MSCMR Class Speaker: Matthew Ying Yeung Metz
- MSHA Class Speaker: Jonathan Arogeti
Matthew Ying Yeung Metz
Academic Awards
Introduced by Dustin Sharp and Steve Commins.
- Best Long-Form Piece: Kirsten Tayla Chaplin — recognized for an outstanding long-form writing piece.
- Best Short-Form Piece: My Haugland Soersdahl — recognized for an outstanding short-form writing piece.
- Best Published Piece: Halle Shilling — recognized for exceptional scholarship with the potential to shape public dialogue and professional practice beyond the classroom.
- MSHA Academic Excellence Award: Jonathan William Arogeti — recognized for academic excellence in the MS in Humanitarian Action program.
Best Portfolio Awards
Introduced by Professor Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick.
- Best MAPJ Portfolio: Kirsten Tayla Chaplin
- Best MSCMR Portfolio: Halle Shilling & Matthew Ying Yeung Metz
- Best MASI Portfolio: Nyla Aileen Baxter Williamson
Halle Shilling receiving her award for best MSCMR Portfolio
Community Awards
Recipients are selected through a nomination process recognizing outstanding contributions to the Kroc School community and beyond.
- Patricia Márquez Innovator Award: Sage Dobby — presented to a graduating student who has shown innovation and promise beyond the classroom, applying their academic expertise through projects, competitions, or other recognition that crosses boundaries and disciplines.
- John Patterson Humanitarian Promise Award: Jonathan Arogeti — presented to a graduating MSHA student who has demonstrated dedication to humanitarianism through academic and professional accomplishments, leadership, and advocacy for impacted communities in crisis-affected areas.
- Necla Tschirgi Civic Engagement Award: Zoe Lorin — presented to a graduating student who has made meaningful contributions to both the Kroc School and the broader community by donating their time, skills, and energy to causes they are passionate about.
- Joan B. Kroc Award: Holly Burton — presented to a graduating student who has made exceptional contributions to Kroc School student life and community, embodying the spirit of a courageous changemaker whose impact is felt by peers and the institution alike.We are incredibly proud of every member of the Class of 2026. Their scholarship, service, and commitment to building a more peaceful and just world is a testament to everything the Kroc School stands for. We can't wait to see what they do next. Congratulations, graduates!
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.
