University of San Diego Introduces New Dean of Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

The University of San Diego (USD) is excited to announce the hire of Darren Kew, PhD, as the new dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. He brings to USD a unique academic background and wide-ranging experience in the peacebuilding field, which combine to make him a perfect fit to lead the Kroc School.

Dr. Kew is a professor and former Chair of the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance, and Executive Director of the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Kew has also worked as an advisor on democracy and peace initiatives with the United Nations and U.S. State Department, among others. He studies conflict resolution and democratic development in Africa, and has monitored the last seven Nigerian elections.

“USD attracted applicants from across the globe for this unique opportunity,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Gail F. Baker, PhD. “After an intensive search which included zoom and on campus interviews with myriad members of our community, it was clear that Dr. Kew has the skills, background, passion and alignment with our mission that will move the Kroc School of Peace Studies forward.”

The Kroc School is committed to developing its students into changemakers, and training them to shape the future of fields of peacebuilding and social innovation. Baker added that Kew’s collaborative and student-centered leadership approach will help elevate the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies to its next level.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the Kroc School of Peace Studies team, and deeply honored to serve as its Dean. I look forward to working closely with the talented faculty, dedicated staff, and passionate students, who together are what makes this school such a force for positive change" Dr. Kew said. “The world is facing unprecedented threats to peace and justice, but through the transformational learning, initiatives, and research offered at the Kroc School and at USD overall, we can play a key role in helping changemakers worldwide overcome the challenges of our times with creativity and vision.”

Dr. Kew’s official start date is July 1, 2024.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.