History

Building a School of Peace Studies

Joan Kroc recognized that the strength and spirit of University of San Diego provided an extraordinary foundation on which to build a school for peacemaking scholars and practitioners. Responding to the opportunity to expand and fulfill its mission, the University developed a plan for facilities, an energetic program and a spirit of commitment to Mrs. Kroc’s dream of making peace.  Mrs. Kroc invested over $75 million to design and erect the structure, establish the first institute and develop the faculty, curriculum and programs that would become the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (KSPS).

The University constructed a home for the School on its 180-acre campus. The handsome Spanish Renaissance style building is situated on a hilltop overlooking the city of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. It is an inspiring setting for work, study, dialogue and contemplation. The building houses spaces for classrooms, faculty research, meetings and conferences, as well as for negotiations and training and residences for visiting dignitaries and scholars.

Bringing peace and justice studies to life on the USD campus requires active engagement in peacemaking through education, research and dialogue with practitioners. In 2000, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) was established as a center for conflict resolution and human rights. In 2002, the University’s first Masters of Arts in Peace & Justice Studies was established. And in 2007, USD’s Trans-Border Institute, working on the issues confronting the United States-Mexico border region, was integrated into the new School. These three units form a robust base for exploration of a range of peace studies topics.

To shape and develop the School, USD needed a leader and scholar with practical and academic experience in the emerging field of peace studies. The University mounted an extensive search for a “founding dean.”

Building from Strengths

The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies will anchor its growth on the strong foundation that has been established at the University of San Diego. USD’s values, tradition and strategic priorities provide a fertile setting for the School. The University community supports the School as a global initiative and an integrated learning opportunity. Students and faculty are attracted to the University’s exceptional commitment to social justice, ethics and leadership, and cultural diversity. The School will draw on the capabilities of its active institutes and programs.

The Trans-Border Institute will continue to work with the people who live on both sides of the busiest border crossing in the world.

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice will continue to reach out to offer both expertise and dialogue to frontline peacemakers and a concerned community.

The Master of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies will continue to educate students from places like Nepal, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Latvia, South Africa and the United States.

The School’s focus areas will continue to reflect its unique identity. The University’s experience within the Catholic tradition informs its interest in values-based and philosophical topics. KSPS has a track record and special interest, as both a local and global issue, in the condition of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, especially the unique vulnerability of women.

The School’s geographic location has produced important partnerships on issues related to the Pacific Rim. And the presence of a large military community in the San Diego area provides a unique opportunity for dialogue about the role of the U.S. military in conflict and peacebuilding.