7 CJP Alumnae Went On To Earn Doctorates

Priscilla Adoyo, MA ’03, Doctor of Missiology 2008 from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Dissertation title: “The Application Of Biblical Principles Of Conflict Transformation In Ethno-Religious Situations In Jos And Kaduna, Nigeria.” Current work: Director for Centre for Peacebuilding at the Institute for the Study of African Realities, a constituent school of Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. “The Centre’s agenda is to address conflict in Africa at all levels—family, interpersonal, in churches and organizations, between communities, and at national levels. The Centre teaches the Bible’s vision for justice and shalom and equips persons in diverse arenas to intervene with skill and discernment in conflict situations and building deep-rooted peace.”

Florina Immaculate Mary Benoit, MA ’04, PhD in Social Work 2008, Osmania University in Hyderabad, India. Dissertation title: “A Study of the Quality of Life of Sri Lankan Refugees Living in Camps in Tamil Nadu.” Current work: Chief Zonal Officer in CASA (Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action). “We work in the villages of India. I coordinate development efforts in the four southern states of India. Our focus is on poverty alleviation and political awareness and empowerment of the oppressed classes, particularly the dalits, tribals, women and backward castes.”

Laura Brenneman, MA ’00, PhD in Theology 2005, University of Durham in the United Kingdom. Dissertation title: “Corporate Discipline and the People of God: A Study of 1 Corinthians 5.3-5.” Current work: College and seminary professor of religion and a mediator in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Previously Brenneman was an assistant professor of religion and the director of peace and conflict studies at Mennonite-affiliated Bluffton University in Ohio. “My dissertation was a study of community discipline in the ancient church in Corinth, with implications for churches today.”

Jujin Chung, MA ’02, PhD in Peace Studies 2008 from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. Dissertation title: “A Transformative Approach to Public Dispute Resolution: A Study of the U.S. Model and the South Korean Case.” Current work: Education and publication, including book writing, focusing on peacebuilding and conflict transformation; lecturer at universities, special events and workshops for different groups. “I published a book titled Conflict Resolution in Korean Society in 2010. I also translated a book entitled Managing Public Disputes. Both books are my efforts to introduce conflict resolution/transformation to Korean society and encourage people to take different approaches to conflict based on dialogue and collaboration.”

Kaushikee, MA ’02, PhD in Political Science 2004 from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India. Thesis title: “Refugee Problematic and Regional Security in South Asia.” Current work: Assistant professor in the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Kaushikee’s online curriculum vitae list dozens of seminars given, workshops led, conferences organized, and papers, monographs and a book published, both in India and in other countries, notably the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States. Her range of interests is wide—from human rights to conflict resolution—but she has demonstrated a particular interest in the Gandhian approach to peace and conflict resolution.

Bonnie Price Lofton, MA ’04, Doctor of Letters (D.LItt.) 2012, Drew University in New Jersey. Dissertation title: “On the Survival of Mennonite Community in Modern-Day America: Lessons from History, Communities and Artists.” Current work: Editor-in-chief at Eastern Mennonite University, including writing and editing Peacebuilder magazine. “The Mennonite church-community offers the world a distinctive and much-needed minority voice on behalf of living peacefully and helping people who are suffering. I hope this community will resist the historic trend of the assimilation of minority communities into the dominant culture.”

Krista Rigalo, MA ’98, PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution 2010 from the School for Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. Dissertation title: “The Politics Of Ritual: Exploring Discourse Regarding The Use Of Ritual In Northern Uganda.” Current work: Chief of Programming and Training for Africa Region of the United States Peace Corps. “In this role I provide strategic oversight and guidance to the development efforts of 25 country programs in Africa.  It is the largest regional program in the Peace Corps—approximately 41 percent of Peace Corps Volunteers serve in Africa. Though not the largest part of what I do, I have started a post-conflict support initiative for our programs in Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Liberia.”

PLUS: Three female graduates earned doctoral-level law degrees before enrolling in CJP: Rosario “Charito” Calvachi-Mateyko, MA’06, Doctor of Law 1988 from the Catholic University in Quito, Ecuador; Patricia “Patty” Patton, MA ’00, JD 1988 from George Washington University School of Law; and Brenda Waugh, MA ’09, JD 1987 from West Virginia University School of Law.

1 comment on “7 CJP Alumnae Went On To Earn Doctorates”

  1. zarina begum says:

    I first heard about your training when a very closed friend of mine was selected to attend & since I have been reading online about you & very interested to find out more. I would like to know who are eligible to this training & when does the next one start. I am interested but would like to have all the details first.

    Thank you.

    Zarina Begum

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