For the 2024-2025 academic year, Kroc School students Lucy O'Brien (MAPJ) and Rebeca Ancer Gomez (JD/MAPJ) were selected as Practice Fellows at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Each Practice Fellow joins a different initiative area within the Kroc IPJ. Lucy supported California Violence Prevention and Rebeca supported Cross-Border Initiatives. Read on to learn what Lucy and Rebeca are most proud of accomplishing during their fellowship, and what advice they have for future Kroc IPJ Practice Fellows!
Lucy: I applied to be a Kroc IPJ Practice Fellow to gain more experience in violence prevention, specifically as it relates to communities impacted by incarceration. Coming into the fellowship I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen the positive impact that organizations had in Milwaukee but was unfamiliar with the city of San Diego. I hoped to learn about how communities experiencing violence address these issues and create sustainable solutions. I was also hoping to gain research evaluation tools to apply practical skills for making change across the United States.
Rebeca: I applied to be a Kroc IPJ Practice Fellow because I’ve always been deeply interested in border-related issues, having grown up near the Texas border on the Mexican side. Volunteering at migrant shelters from a young age sparked my passion for supporting vulnerable communities, and I was eager to deepen my understanding of peacebuilding efforts at the border. I wanted to gain hands-on experience supporting grassroots initiatives and explore how international human rights and justice intersect with local realities. Before starting the fellowship, I hoped to contribute meaningfully to a project that would amplify the voices of local actors working for peace and justice.
Lucy: As a Practice Fellow for the California Violence Prevention Initiative, I have had the opportunity to work and learn from the California Peacemaker Project. This project collaborates with four community based organizations that are doing remarkable work to strengthen bonds and repair harm in their communities. Kroc IPJ serves as the external evaluator for these organizations, and through data collection and analysis, I have witnessed the significant role restorative practices play in preventing violence and strengthening community connections.
Rebeca: I’m most proud of contributing research that mapped cross-border peacebuilding initiatives and highlighted the efforts of often-overlooked community leaders. It was rewarding to see how our work supported greater collaboration and visibility for those driving change at the grassroots level. I’m also incredibly proud of working alongside the amazing team of Border Fellows in our program—learning from their experiences and helping showcase their initiatives was truly inspiring.
Lucy: Each of my classes has provided valuable perspectives for my fellowship. My Conflict Analysis and Resolution class has allowed me to explore the role of power in relationships with law enforcement, government spending, and community leadership. I have also recognized the strength of facilitation and dialogue in cultivating strong community bonds. Additionally, my Narratives class has helped me move beyond binary roles such as victim, hero, and perpetrator, emphasizing the importance of trauma informed dialogues and their impact on any community.
Rebeca: I applied conflict analysis tools, research methodologies, and frameworks from my coursework in peace and justice to assess and support the work of local organizations. These academic foundations gave me a critical and informed lens, helping me engage thoughtfully with complex issues and contribute effectively to the fellowship’s goals.
Lucy: Some of the most valuable skills I have cultivated during my fellowship stem from both office work and meeting with community organizations like Youth Empowerment. I learned the importance of asking questions to accurately represent the community's efforts when articulating progress in mid-term or program evaluations. I also observed the significance of collaboration among different stakeholders and the necessity of ensuring everyone is aligned. Lastly, I have enjoyed learning more about research methodologies and the critical importance of details when analyzing data.
Rebeca: The fellowship helped me strengthen my research and analytical skills, particularly in synthesizing complex information into accessible and actionable insights. It also enhanced my cross-cultural communication abilities and deepened my understanding of community-based approaches to justice, advocacy, and peacebuilding.
Lucy: My professional goals have broadened due to this fellowship experience. I have gained knowledge in research and discovered ways to become more involved in communities. Through the organizations Kroc IPJ collaborates with, I have learned the importance of restorative practices in repairing harm and advocating for every individual in society. I hope to continue developing skills in dialogue, conflict management, Intervention strategies and Facilitation.
Rebeca: This experience reaffirmed my commitment to working at the intersection of migration, human rights, and local advocacy. It also inspired me to focus more on public interest law and pursue roles that allow me to support grassroots efforts and advance justice for marginalized communities in Mexico and beyond.
Lucy: My advice would be to fully immerse yourself in the experience of being a Practice Fellow. Everyone in the office is always open to helping you explore new interests, so don’t be afraid to ask. Be curious and engaged! You will gain so much from this experience. Whenever I had questions or wanted to be more involved, my supervisor Tori was always available and excited to help.
Rebeca: Stay curious and open to learning from the communities you engage with—there is so much wisdom and innovation in local efforts. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from your supervisors and peers; their insights and support will be invaluable throughout your fellowship experience.