ZUHRA ABHAR
Zuhra Abhar is a dual degree candidate who has just completed her first year at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She received her BA in International Relations from Regis College in Massachusetts. Prior to coming to Brandeis, Zuhra was a Senior Counselor at Boston Refugee Youth Enrichment under Harvard University. She is originally from Afghanistan and is fluent in English, Persian and Dari.MUSTAPHA MAHAMA ABDULAI
Mustapha Mahama Abdulai graduated from the University of Ghana in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Linguistics. He worked as an Alumni Officer in Commonwealth Hall in the University of Ghana immediately after completion. Mustapha was involved in funds mobilization for community development projects such as free medical outreach, health awareness and educational programs and sponsorship for the development of needy schools. He recently graduated from the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana with a Master of Arts degree in July 2010. He specialized in politics and development with emphasis on environment and modernity (land conflicts, land tenure, land reforms in Africa, etc). Mustapha is from Ghana and currently a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
RACHEL BERNACKI
Rachel Bernacki is a dual degree candidate from the United States and has just completed her first year in the SID Program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She most recently worked for the Refugee Resettlement Program, Catholic Charities in Boston, Massachusetts and Camden, New Jersey. She also completed a semester at the United Nations during her undergraduate studies and interned at Human Rights Watch focusing on health and human rights. Rachel received her BA in Political Science, Holocaust & Genocide Studies, and Pan-African Studies from Drew University.
JUSTIN BURKE
Justin Burke has worked in the Boston Public Schools and after school programs for the past 4 years with two organizations: Sports4Kids and The Esplanade Association. He worked with students, teachers, and faculty teaching and promoting tolerance and anti-bullying through play and sports activities. He has also assisted in fundraising with both organizations. Justin received his BS in Public Relations with a concentration in Cultural Diversity from Suffolk University. He is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
CALTON CADEADO
Calton Cadeado received his Bachelor and Honors degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the Higher Institute for International Relations (ISRI) in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2002 and 2005, respectively. Since 2003, Calton has been teaching Peace and Conflict at ISRI while conducting research at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies which is the research unit of the ISRI. He has also worked as assistant to the former President of Mozambique on Peace and Conflict Management Course at the University A Politecnica, in Maputo. Calton is a Ford Scholar from Mozambique and a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
AILEEN SUZETTE CHARLESTON
Aileen Suzette Charleston graduated from the University of Texas with a double major in Latin American Studies and French. She holds a diploma in Language and French Civilization from Sorbonne University. Aileen has recently worked as a Bilingual Reporter at the Washington Post Company where she provided the Hispanic community information on topics related to education, health and immigration. Previously, she served as an Intern Reporter for Federal Way Mirror, as a bilingual reporter for the Sea-Latino Newspaper, and as a bilingual community outreach intern for KCTS Television. Aileen is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
ELLEN COSGROVE
Ellen Cosgrove has most recently served as a Program Director for PeacePlayers International Northern Ireland, a peace-building organization that uses sports, specifically basketball, as a tool to bring together children from divided communities. Ellen received a B.A. in Urban Studies and a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Journalism from Fordham University. She is from the United States and currently a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
KRISTINE CRASSWELLER
Kristine Crassweller received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the Pennsylvania State University. She has most recently served as a teacher in Khon Kaen University Language Institute in Thailand prior to which she taught English in South Korea. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
MONICA CURCA
Monica Curca is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She is the owner and manager of the sales/marketing company Back2Back Marketing established in 2001. It represents chiropractic offices in the greater Southern California area. She is also involved in the Arabic Christian Perspective in California working as a non-profit consultant. Previously, Monica received her bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a concentration in Middle-Eastern studies. She has also worked in the field in various consulting and research positions in countries such as Romania, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and Cuba, before coming to Brandeis. Monica is from the United States.
EDEA SHARON DARUSI
Edea Sharon Darusi is a World Bank Scholar who has worked for the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for the past two years acting as National Volunteer Civil Affairs Officer. In this position, Sharon has worked to support the commitment of the parties to the Peace Agreement and the reconciliation process. Sharon previously worked with Plan International in Southern Sudan as Community Development Coordinator where her work focused on including children's needs into the community development. Sharon also has extensive training in conflict management and coexistence. She received her Bachelors in Social Work and Social Administration from Uganda Christian University. Sharon is from the Sudan and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
JOEL ELLIOTT
Joel Elliott is a freelance reporter who has reported from New England, Pakistan, India, Cambodia and other South Asian countries. He has previously served as an investigative reporter for Blethen Maine Newspapers, focusing on human rights issues. He is a winner of the National Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism from the University of Oregon and other journalism awards. Joel received his Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Toccoa Falls College. He is from the United States and is currently a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
KATHRYN FENNEMAN
Kathryn Fenneman most recently worked with Children and Families of Iowa as a Family Safety, Risk and Permanency In-Home Counselor. Kathryn worked to assist families in developing skills and providing a safe environment for children involved with Child Protective Service. Kathryn also worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in the West Indies assisting community-based organizations with community development. Kathryn received her BA in Criminal Justice from Simpson College. She is from the United States and a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
KATRINA FIELD
Katrina Field received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History/African-American Studies from Norfolk State University. She has most recently served as an intern at Carl Wilkens Fellowship at Genocide Intervention Network, an NGO working on issues of genocide and mass atrocities through advocacy, civilian protection programs, lobbying and education. She is from the United States and a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
DAVERN FRANCIS
Davern Francis most recently worked as an Assistant to the Director for the Center for Law and Public Policy at Washington Adventist University. She also worked in the US House of Representatives as a Staff Intern. In this position, she worked in the office of Yvette D. Clarke drafting letters, conducting research and editing briefs. Davern received her BA in History and a minor in French from Washington Adventist University. She is from the United States and a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
LUZMILLA FREESE
Luzmilla Freese is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies in 2008 from Seattle University in Washington state where she lives. During her undergraduate career, she studied abroad in France and China examining development and history. She was also a case manager in the Western District of Washington as well as a language specialist at the Loyola Learning center.
STACYANN GABBIDON
Stacyann Gabbidon is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She is deeply involved in tackling the environmental issues that abound on the island of her native Jamaica. Since her graduation from the University of the West Indies, Stacyann has been focusing on development and the environment, working with Montego Bay Marine Park to increase awareness around the challenges surrounding the Montego Bay eco-system. She has also worked as a journalist and public relations officer, and is currently working with a Jamaican relief agency to create awareness and support programs for unattached Jamaican youth.
ELYSE GACUZUKI
Elyse Gacuzuki is from the Republic of Burundi and received her BA in Diplomacy from Ecole Nationale d'Administration, in Algeria, where she wrote a dissertation entitled "Violation of Women's Rights in Internal Conflicts: The case of Burundian Women." She most recently worked as a Consultant with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to prepare a Round Table on the implementation of the ICGLR Pact on Peace, Security and Development. Her work included research on the regional aspects in 5 areas: Peace and Security, Democracy and Good Governance, Economic Development and Regional Integration, Humanitarian and Social Issues and the Cross Cutting Issues (Gender, HIV/AIDS, Youth, Environment and Human Settlement). Elyse also worked as an intern at the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal to Algiers, Ministry of Republic of Burundi and at the Interbank-Burundi. Elyse is is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
GARBA ABUBAKAR GASAU
Garba Abubakar Gasau graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2008 with a Master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justices Studies. He also holds an Advanced Diploma in Security Operations and Management from the University of Lagos. He comes from a military background and experience and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from the prestigious Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. He has previously worked as a Field Officer in the ECOWAS Peacekeeping Operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He also worked as a Field Officer in the UN Mission in Sierra-Leone. Before coming to Brandeis, he was the Security Coordinator for the Joint UN/ECOWAS mission in Gambia/Ghana. Abubakar is from northern Nigeria and currently a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
FEYA HILLEL
Feya Hillel is a recent graduate of Brandeis University, where she majored in Islam and Middle Eastern Studies & Peace, Conflict and Coexistence Studies. Feya serves as the Executive Director for Student Crossing Boundaries which provides opportunities for students to intern in conflict zones and prior to that, as an Assistant to the Israel Parliament. Feya co-founded and coordinates Israel National Trail Initiative, an organization that delivers backpacking hikes along the Israel National Trail for college students. Feya is from Israel and is a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
CHRISTOPHER JENSON
Christopher Jensen is a dual degree candidate and has just completed his first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2004 with a degree in communication. After his undergraduate career, Christopher entered the Department of Navy as a Human Resources Assistant. After serving for a year, he became a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Peru, South America as a small business development advisor. He re-entered the Navy in 2008 as an administrative specialist. Chris is from the United States.
KATHRYN JOHNSTON
Kathryn Johnston received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Sustainability and Environmental Studies from San Diego State University. She has participated in field research on transnational communities, circulatory migration and identity in Oaxaca, Mexico. Kathryn has also served as a volunteer with the International Rescue Committee in San Diego and with La Tortuga Feliz, an organization working on turtle conservation and community enrichment in Costa Rico. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
ELYSSA KANET
Elyssa Kanet received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Brandeis University and minored in Environmental Studies and Peace, Conflict and Coexistence Studies. Previously she worked at AVODAH, The Jewish Service Corps as a Legal Advocate at the Selfhelp Community Services. She provided legal advice and representation for low-income seniors and conducted trainings for clients. Elyssa has also interned at The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel where she worked on conflict issues related to the environment and peace-building on the regional, national and international levels, at Senator Robert Hedlund's office in Boston and at Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group. She has previously held leadership positions working with two Brandeis student organizations and has been involved in several community service projects. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
SAMEER KARKI
Sameer Karki graduated from Loras College in Iowa in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Economics. After graduating, he worked as an accounting assistant for Marshall Management in Maryland. He also had the opportunity to be involved with a school for children who lost their guardians during the 10-year civil war in Nepal. He is interested in peace building and helping people in this conflicted region. Sameer was born in Kathmandu, Nepal and is currently a candidate for a Master's in Coexistence and Conflict.
JILL SUZANNE KORNETSKY
Jill Suzanne Kornetsky holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Harvard University, and has consulted for nearly a decade as a biologist, chemist, pharmacologist and toxicologist for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. During her undergraduate career, Jill spent a semester in Tanzania studying wildlife, ecology and conservation. She most recently took courses with the American Red Cross, joined Boston World Partnerships, and became a reserve disaster analyst for FEMA in order to further her professional portfolio. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
AI LING LEE
Ai Ling Lee is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She attended Upper Iowa University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Ai Ling was involved in organizing awareness around mental health issues and later went on to work for the International Organization for Migration as a Medical Assistant. During her experiences, she became interested in the area of immigration and how to better incorporate migrants into the social structure of her native Malaysia.
SERAPHINE MUKANKUBITO
Seraphine Mukankubito is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She is a trained legal advisor and human rights advocate, focusing on sexual violence against women during conflict in her native Rwanda. After graduating from the Universite Libre de Kigali, she received various domestic violence trainings as well as training in risk assessment and safety planning regarding sexual assault. She was also involved in the Gacaca proceedings in Kigali in the Program on Genocide Trials Monitoring. She is currently working as a Case Manager at the Transition House for women victims of domestic violence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
DANIEL LEGACKI
Daniel Legacki received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Arizona in 2006. For the past three years, he was a secondary special education teacher in Los Angeles. Daniel is from the United States and is currently a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
JUDITH JULIET NJOKA
Judith Juliet Njoka received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Planning & Management from Kenyatta University. She has served as an intern with the Nairobi City Council Department of Environment where she was responsible for parks maintenance and waste management. She is from Kenya and a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
JAMES ORRE
James Orre graduated from Daystar University in Kenya with a BA in Integrated Community Development and a minor in Peace and Reconciliation. Before he came to Brandeis University, he was a Manager for Social Protection Rights where his mandate was to serve and advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged members in the community. Prior to this, he worked as a Community Development Officer for SOS Children Villages in Kenya and his responsibilities were capacity building, monitoring and evaluation. James hopes to enable rural communities to realize their untapped potential so that they live a respectful and dignified life. He was born and raised in a pastoralist community in northern Kenya whose main economic mainstay is camel rearing. James is a Ford Foundation scholar and a candidate for a Master's in Coexistence and Conflict.
BETH PERES
Beth Peres is a dual degree candidate and has just completed her first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She has most recently served as a case manager at EZRA Multi-Service Center in Chicago. She has interned with Hillel in several locations in Chicago; she was a mentor and volunteered with the Pan African Association in support of Burundi asylum-seekers and has traveled to Israel on service missions. Beth received her BA in Sociology from De Paul University. She is from the United States.
JASON POLLENS
Jason Pollens is a dual degree candidate and has just completed his first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. He received his degree in Government and International Relations from Clark University in 2006 with a concentration in peace studies. He has worked with Jobs with Justice in New York as a Fellow in Faith in Action. Most recently, he interned for The Abraham Fund Initiatives in Jerusalem and is also a Vision Program Fellow for Abraham's Vision. He is involved in the field of conflict resolution in Jewish-Palestinian relations both in the Middle East and the United States. Jason has also worked and conducted research in South Africa and Namibia.
SHAGUFTA SHAH
Shagufta Shah is the deputy coordinator for the Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority in Pakistan where she is responsible for bridging communication gaps between concerned authorities and monitoring and supervising development activities. Prior to this, she served as a manager in charge of community mobilization for a major International Rescue Committee health program where she contributed at different levels in addition to working directly with the community. Shagufta received her Master of Laws degree with a concentration in Human Rights, Criminology and Islamic Law and her Bachelor of Law degree from Sindh Muslim Law College. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Karachi University. Shagufta is from Pakistan and is a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
LINDSAY SMITH
Lindsay Smith most recently worked in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany with the Department of Defense. In this position, Lindsay served members of the US armed forces and their families through the Armed Forces Recreation Center. Lindsay received her BA in International Studies and French from Centre College in Kentucky. She is from the United States and a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
FREDERICK TUMUHAIRWE
Frederick Tumuhairwe is a dual degree candidate and has just completed his first year in the SID program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Prior to this, he worked with Kindrend Hospital as a Certified Nurse Assistant while pursuing his nursing degree at Laboure College. Frederick was involved in patient management where he monitored and reported on day-to-day patient activities while documenting behavioral patterns for review. He also spent two years working in the Mbarara District as a District Coordinator for refugee services. His efforts led to proper planning, assessment and evaluation. Frederick is from Uganda and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Makerere University, Uganda.
WILLIAM ADAMS TWAYIGIZE
William Adams Twayigize is the founder of Africa Youth Voice for Peace and Development, AYOVOP - Afrique, a community-based youth initiative to promote peace, good governance, and responsible leadership, and development among African youth at the grassroots level. William worked with youth from the slum environment in Kenya and Uganda. He previously worked as a Public Communication Officer in charge of public complaints and Media Development Desk in the Office of the President in Kenya. William received a BA in Communications and Community Development, and a minor in Peace Studies from Daystar University, Kenya. William hails from Kenya and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
TRAVIS WARRINGTON
Travis Warrington has three years experience in community development where he coordinated and facilitated numerous development projects. Most recently, he worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia. As a Health and Community Development volunteer, Travis worked on myriad projects including bush road reconstruction projects, community needs assessments and participatory approaches, a bicycle-powered milling machine and grant writing and management. Travis hopes to use his master's degree to build on his BA in Anthropology from Western Washington University, applying a lens of cultural anthropology to development practices. Travis is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
AMANDINE WEINROB
Amandine Weinrob is from the US and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and East Asian studies from Ohio Wesleyan University. She has most recently served as a Southeast Asia/Oceania/Canada watch board analyst at Georgetown University's ISIS Center on Project Argus. Using the aid of local and regional media, she tracked emerging threats, such as disease outbreaks and civil violence situations. Prior to this, Amandine worked as an Intern for Friends of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Japan, where she assisted in logistical planning for the construction of sanitation infrastructure in some of India's poorest villages. She has also worked as a short-term consultant to the Department of External Corporate Communications at the World Bank. Amandine is from the United States and is a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
EMILY MARIE WILSON-HAUGER
Emily Marie Wilson-Hauger most recently worked at Duke University Chapel as Faith Council Program Coordinator, an inter-religious relations initiative. Emily has held several leadership positions and participated in community projects on HIV/AIDS, peace and justice, sustainability, immigrants, and refugees. She led many international trips for high school and college students to Turkey and Israel and Palestine on multi-faith exploration trips and Christian service trips to Zambia, Belize, and Costa Rica. She also spent a semester abroad studying development and anthropology in Tanzania. Emily received a BA in Religious Studies from Messiah College, Pennsylvania. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
SHOSHANA ZELDNER
Shoshana Zeldner received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Oregon. She has most recently served as the Director of the Holocaust Awareness Institute at the University of Denver where she was responsible for the planning of public educational programs, development of Holocaust and Genocide based curriculum for middle and high school students, and general operations and management of the institute. Shoshana is currently developing a project in Denver that pairs Holocaust and Genocide survivors as mentors with youth at risk. Additionally, Shoshana is a passionate artist and yoga teacher. She is from the United States and is a candidate for a Master's degree in Coexistence and Conflict.
JOSHUA ZUCKERMAN
Joshua Zuckerman most recently worked with the Center for Creative Ecology, Kibbutz Lotan in Israel. In his role as Assistant to the Director, Joshua coordinated volunteer work and community work in managing the ecological neighborhood. He also participated in the LIFE program for social justice leadership development which provided intense learning on social and environmental issues including sustainability. Prior to this, Joshua interned for the Municipality of Jerusalem, Israel and the Byrraju Foundation in Hyderabad, India. He has experience in permaculture and eco-village design and has worked in India on sustainable rural transformation. Joshua received a BA in Political Science from Southern IIIinois University. He is from the United States and is a candidate for a dual Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict.
