At each spring Convocation, the University of Waterloo honours the top graduating scholar with the highest cumulative average in each honours program of study. Chiara McLean has combined strong scholarship and dedication to Peace and Conflict Studies throughout her degree and is the winner of the PACS Departmental Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement.
“I was drawn to Peace and Conflict Studies as I was always interested in what drives conflict and division in our world and wanted to learn more about the opportunities and work that can bring forth peace,” Chiara recalled. In her first year of university, she enroled in Peace is Everybody's Business, quickly followed by Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace. Her interest was piqued, and she went on to earn a joint BA in Political Science and PACS with a minor in Communications Studies.
“We live in a fear-driven world,” Chiara reflected. Taking Peacebuilding in Divided Societies helped her better understand possibilities for working toward peace. “I learned that what divides us is often what we don't know about each other. Taking that extra step to learn and listen and get to know the other side is when we realize we may have more in common than we initially thought.”
Active listening is an important skill that will stay with Chiara going forward. In Negotiation Theories and Strategies, she “learned that it is not winning that counts but rather understanding what the other side wants and finding a way to work together toward resolution, which takes patience and teamwork.”
Chiara recommends that students considering a PACS degree take full advantage of professor's office hours, research opportunities, and experiential learning. “I learned so much by attending class and interacting with my peers through class discussions. The PACS Department is there to support you along your journey,” she added.
“Receiving the highest mark in the PACS program is a true honour and privilege,” said Chiara. “I attribute my success to the PACS professors and their way of teaching and engaging me in class lectures and discussions.” Looking to the future, Chiara plans to use her peace education by working in the government as a diplomat or working with an international non-profit organization.
The PACS Department noted that Chiara “has been present at Grebel not just taking courses, but also using the space to study, read in the atrium, and connect with PACS students, staff, and faculty.” Chiara has taken advantage of experiential learning opportunities, including a recent presentation at Notre Dame University's Peace Students Conference where she presented her PACS 401 capstone paper. “It is not surprising that Chiara has emerged as the top student in the PACS Department. We celebrate your hard work and excellence.”
Congratulations to all PACS students who are graduating this spring. This is a significant achievement and is well-deserved.