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Imagine the dreams that become possible when financial barriers are removed for students: a term abroad, an immersive language program, a globally focused internship, or research grounded in another culture. Students might find themselves volunteering in a refugee settlement, researching an issue they care about, immersing themselves in global music, taking a field course in environmental justice, working with a governmental think tank, or collaborating with an NGO overseas. Experiences like these broaden a person’s perspective, change career paths, and contribute to the kind of leadership that Canada will need in the future. 

Thubelihle Mkwalula is in her second year of the MPACS program. She is originally from Eswatini and completed her undergraduate degree in global affairs in the United States. Following her undergrad, she applied directly to the MPACS program because she wanted to diversify her field of study. 

Julie-Ann Ellis-Bradley is a final year Master of Peace and Conflict Studies student at Conrad Grebel University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo. Julie-Ann is an attorney who has worked in mediation and practiced law in Belize for over 17 years. In that time, Julie-Ann realized that navigating conflict is a critical life skill, and conflict management is a powerful tool to have in all relationships.  

Simmi Hansra (MPACS 2020) is a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) alum invested in conflict transformation through unconditional acceptance. Empathy and curiosity are centred in Simmi's approach to everyday life, and these principles support her in working to create a more peaceful and equitable world. 

In October, Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) students participated in an MPACS Internship Symposium hosted by the PACS Department. Eager to share lessons learned with fellow MPACS students, Grebel faculty and staff, Emilie, Theresa and Quinn reflected on the highlights and challenges they faced during their internships abroad.  

A few weeks ago, I joined a group of MPACS and MTS students and faculty on a trip to the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.

The journey of figuring out what you want to do after high school isn’t linear, and Abigail Persaud is an example of how seizing new opportunities can lead to the most profound experiences of self-discovery and impact. As she completes her final term of her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, the experiences she has gained through her time at the university have provided a strong foundation for her to be a part of the meaningful change that Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) alumni are making around the world. 

The Conrad Grebel University College community is pleased to highlight some notable students who are graduating this week. These students have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their degrees and are recognized for their hard work and achievement in their respective fields.

For two weeks this spring, students gathered in the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College for deep listening, personal reflection, collective storytelling, and healing. They came to participate in a new Master of Peace and Conflict Studies course called Radical Healing: Re-storying Trauma, Resilience and Justice, which was taught by Dr. Johonna McCants-Turner, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and a Centre for Peace Advancement Research Fellow. 

Fueled by her passion for mediation and advocacy, Zoe knew the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program at the University of Waterloo offered her the perfect opportunity to deepen her knowledge and create meaningful change. After earning her undergraduate degree in social justice and peace studies, she began exploring new opportunities and fell in love with the program and the warm community at Grebel. The small class sizes and seminar-based courses were a big part of what shaped her decision.