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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 centered 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.

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.

“It’s not just ideas about peace, Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) gives you the tools to know how to make it happen in your community and the world”, says Willow Carmount, a recent graduand of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program at the University of Waterloo. Her journey at the university began as a Social Development Studies student, however after taking her first PACS course, she knew immediately it was the perfect program for her. She felt empowered to challenge the way she sees things; something she was not getting from her other courses.

On March 12, 2025, three University of Waterloo students based at Conrad Grebel University College competed in the Annual C. Henry Smith Oratorical Speech Contest established by the late C. Henry Smith in 1974. Each student presented their speech to a panel of judges along with an audience of staff, faculty, and students. Teena Faust, a second-year Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) and Philosophy student, was awarded first place and a cash price of $1000. She will represent Grebel and the University of Waterloo at the bi-national speech competition later this year. Ella Funk, a fourth-year creative and professional writing student, won second place and a cash prize of $500. Finally, in third place, winning a cash prize of $300 was Lucas Shumaker, a third-year international student studying environmental engineering.

If there’s anyone who likes breaking down barriers and seeing what’s on the other side, it’s Benny Skinner (BA 2019, MA 2023). They are a human rights advocate, award-winning rugby player on an inclusivity-driven Premier League team, and Indigenous Research Advisor who positively affects the world through activism. Benny’s commitment to social justice was enhanced by Conrad Grebel University College’s Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program, the place where they learned how to challenge and change a society where injustice runs deep.

B.B. Adewusi initially accepted her offer in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, however, her journey would lead her through three different faculties, ultimately deciding to pursue an arts degree with a major in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS). Her decision was driven by the practical benefits of the PACS program and its significance in making a positive impact on students and the world. Finding a program that was meaningful and intellectually stimulating was important to her. She felt that the other faculties could not provide the unique opportunities and perspectives that PACS offered.