Conflict exists in every aspect of society. Peace and Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines human conflict and ways to transform it to achieve justice, prevent violence, and sustain peace. PACS students are critical thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. They connect peacebuilding with dozens of academic fields and enter into 21st century careers ready to make a lasting impact on the world.

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) department is housed under the Social Science Division and operated by The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Students benefit from travel and research funding, professional networking, quality internships, and more through the resources of this hub of peace studies. PACS students can declare a Program of Emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Studies, Communication and Conflict Resolution, and Peace and Criminal Justice. Students can individualize a degree in conjunction with any academic department at Juniata College.

photo of conflict resolution high school group

Out of only 100 or so peace programs in the U.S., Juniata's PACS program is fifth oldest in existence, and one of only a few offering a full major in peace studies.

photo of conflict resolution high school group

Conflict exists in every aspect of society. Peace and Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines human conflict and ways to transform it to achieve justice, prevent violence, and sustain peace. PACS students are critical thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. They connect peacebuilding with dozens of academic fields and enter into 21st century careers ready to make a lasting impact on the world.

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) department is housed under the Social Science Division and operated by The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Students benefit from travel and research funding, professional networking, quality internships, and more through the resources of this hub of peace studies. PACS students can declare a Program of Emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Studies, Communication and Conflict Resolution, and Peace and Criminal Justice. Students can individualize a degree in conjunction with any academic department at Juniata College.

Out of only 100 or so peace programs in the U.S., Juniata's PACS program is fifth oldest in existence, and one of only a few offering a full major in peace studies.

photo of conflict resolution high school group

Conflict exists in every aspect of society. Peace and Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines human conflict and ways to transform it to achieve justice, prevent violence, and sustain peace. PACS students are critical thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. They connect peacebuilding with dozens of academic fields and enter into 21st century careers ready to make a lasting impact on the world.

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) department is housed under the Social Science Division and operated by The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Students benefit from travel and research funding, professional networking, quality internships, and more through the resources of this hub of peace studies. PACS students can declare a Program of Emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Studies, Communication and Conflict Resolution, and Peace and Criminal Justice. Students can individualize a degree in conjunction with any academic department at Juniata College.

Out of only 100 or so peace programs in the U.S., Juniata's PACS program is fifth oldest in existence, and one of only a few offering a full major in peace studies.

photo of conflict resolution high school group

Conflict exists in every aspect of society. Peace and Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines human conflict and ways to transform it to achieve justice, prevent violence, and sustain peace. PACS students are critical thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. They connect peacebuilding with dozens of academic fields and enter into 21st century careers ready to make a lasting impact on the world.

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) department is housed under the Social Science Division and operated by The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. Students benefit from travel and research funding, professional networking, quality internships, and more through the resources of this hub of peace studies. PACS students can declare a Program of Emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Studies, Communication and Conflict Resolution, and Peace and Criminal Justice. Students can individualize a degree in conjunction with any academic department at Juniata College.

Out of only 100 or so peace programs in the U.S., Juniata's PACS program is fifth oldest in existence, and one of only a few offering a full major in peace studies.

 

  • Cruzilious Contreras-Amezcua in Mexico January 2022
    Featured Alumni

    Cruzilious Contreras-Amezcua '23

    Social Transformation and Mediation Capacity

    "In the United States, we see conflict through a punitive lens...[but] without restorative healing for what the victims have experienced, lost, and need as a result of violence, true justice is not possible." - Cruzilious Contreras-Amezcua '23

    Contreras-Amezcua, a recipient of funding through The Baker Institute, recently visited four Mexican migrant shelters in Chiapas as part of a short-term study abroad opportunity in January '22. Their written reflection on that experience and what they learned about the meaning of peace and justice was recently published at Waging Nonviolence.
    Learn more about the Student Peace Fund.

    Featured Alumni

    Cruzilious Contreras-Amezcua '23

    Social Transformation and Mediation Capacity

    "In the United States, we see conflict through a punitive lens...[but] without restorative healing for what the victims have experienced, lost, and need as a result of violence, true justice is not possible." - Cruzilious Contreras-Amezcua '23

    Contreras-Amezcua, a recipient of funding through The Baker Institute, recently visited four Mexican migrant shelters in Chiapas as part of a short-term study abroad opportunity in January '22. Their written reflection on that experience and what they learned about the meaning of peace and justice was recently published at Waging Nonviolence.
    Learn more about the Student Peace Fund.

  • Melanie Thorn in France spring 2022
    Featured Alumni

    Melanie Thorn '23

    Environmental Studies; Peace and Conflict Studies

    Melanie Thorn '23 is an Environmental Science student with a secondary emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies. She spent the spring '22 semester in Lille, France, studying global justice, food controversies, and global food policies. She currently serves on The Baker Institute Advisory Board and as co-president of PAX-O, and works as a student assistant in the PACS office.

    Featured Alumni

    Melanie Thorn '23

    Environmental Studies; Peace and Conflict Studies

    Melanie Thorn '23 is an Environmental Science student with a secondary emphasis in Peace and Conflict Studies. She spent the spring '22 semester in Lille, France, studying global justice, food controversies, and global food policies. She currently serves on The Baker Institute Advisory Board and as co-president of PAX-O, and works as a student assistant in the PACS office.

 

 

Meet our Department - PACS Facts

The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies has support from a diverse and rigorous academic department. Peace and Conflict Studies is inherently cross-disciplinary, and our department demonstrates its interdisciplinary nature. Together professors from the Social Science, Natural Science, and Humanities divisions help guide programming and PACS course offerings. The goal is to show how and why 'peace is everybody's business.'

Meet our Department - PACS Facts

The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies has support from a diverse and rigorous academic department. Peace and Conflict Studies is inherently cross-disciplinary, and our department demonstrates its interdisciplinary nature. Together professors from the Social Science, Natural Science, and Humanities divisions help guide programming and PACS course offerings. The goal is to show how and why 'peace is everybody's business.'

Meet our Department - PACS Facts

The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies has support from a diverse and rigorous academic department. Peace and Conflict Studies is inherently cross-disciplinary, and our department demonstrates its interdisciplinary nature. Together professors from the Social Science, Natural Science, and Humanities divisions help guide programming and PACS course offerings. The goal is to show how and why 'peace is everybody's business.'

 

  • analysis icon

    Conflict Analysis

    For conflict transformation and sustainable peace

    From war to workplace disputes, understand the different types of conflict, why they exist and persist, and how to transform them to build lasting peace through policy and practice, at home and abroad.

  • mediation icon

    Conflict Resolution & Mediation

    For cooperative violence prevention

    Explore and practice alternative methodologies for dispute resolution that focus on cooperation and collaboration to eradicate violence and dismantle systemic oppression.

  • dialogue icon

    Dialogue & Negotiation

    For more productive discourse

    Develop active listening and bargaining skills to contribute to more productive discourse in a variety of real-world contexts—because contemporary conflicts require us to have hard conversations.

  • digital icon

    Digital Peacebuilding

    For more peaceful technology

    Learn to analyze and respond to online conflicts using digital tools and technology to enhance and facilitate peaceful outcomes.

  • justice icon

    Nonviolent Action & Social Justice

    For more equitable communities

    History shows that building equitable and just societies is possible thanks to the transformative power of nonviolent action. Apply the theories and practice of nonviolence in different contemporary contexts.

Featured Outcomes

PACS graduates enjoy distinguished careers as diplomats, educators, policy analysts, mediators, development workers, communications specialists, environmental justice advocates, legislators, nonprofit leaders, and more. The job possibilities are limitless with a résumé enhanced by marketable skills developed in PACS courses.

  • Jules Slater ’21

     

    POE: Communication and Social Advocacy

    Account Executive at Issues Management Group

  • Liliane Pari Umuhoza '19

     

    POE: Peace and Conflict Studies

    Founder, Women Genocide Survivors Retreat; Project Officer, Foundation Rwanda

  • Savannah Parson ’18

     

    POE: Social Organization and Change; Secondary - Gender Studies

    Enforcement Coordinator, Fair Housing Partnership of Pittsburgh

  • Airokhsh Faizi ’15

     

    POE: International Politics; Secondary - PACS

    Fellow Development Advisor, Sahar Education International

  • Heather Fisher ’07

     

    POE: Human Behavior and Conflict Transformation

    Facilitator, Multi Disciplinary Investigatinal Team, PA District Attorney

  • Donna (Dawoon) Chung ’03

     

    POE: Development Studies and PACS

    Senior Program Officer, The World Bank

 

 

  • Nora Connors
    Featured Alum

    Nora Connors '17

    Conflict Studies & Social Justice

    “PACS helped open my eyes to the causes of healthcare disparities, which inspired me to become a doctor to underserved populations.” Nora was employed at the Referral Services Program, Burma Children Medical Fund. Nora is currently a medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

    Featured Alum

    Nora Connors '17

    Conflict Studies & Social Justice

    “PACS helped open my eyes to the causes of healthcare disparities, which inspired me to become a doctor to underserved populations.” Nora was employed at the Referral Services Program, Burma Children Medical Fund. Nora is currently a medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

  • Ezra Halstead
    Featured Alum

    Ezra Halstead '15

    Discourses of War and Peace

    “My passion for policy and human rights advocacy and one day having my own nonprofit was fueled by what I learned in PACS classes.” Ezra is the Director of Outreach at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

    Featured Alum

    Ezra Halstead '15

    Discourses of War and Peace

    “My passion for policy and human rights advocacy and one day having my own nonprofit was fueled by what I learned in PACS classes.” Ezra is the Director of Outreach at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

  • Andrew Loomis
    Featured Alum

    Andrew Loomis '92

    Peace & Conflict Studies

    “As a young activist, I often had a knee-jerk reaction to issues, but the PACS program at Juniata taught me to think about social issues in a more sophisticated way… I’m a believer in Juniata’s efforts to equip people to be thoughtful and engaged citizens.” Andrew is employed as a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of State. He serves as the Director of Ideas and Identities in the U.S. National Intelligence Council.



    Featured Alum

    Andrew Loomis '92

    Peace & Conflict Studies

    “As a young activist, I often had a knee-jerk reaction to issues, but the PACS program at Juniata taught me to think about social issues in a more sophisticated way… I’m a believer in Juniata’s efforts to equip people to be thoughtful and engaged citizens.” Andrew is employed as a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of State. He serves as the Director of Ideas and Identities in the U.S. National Intelligence Council.