Future students

“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.

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.