2025-26 MA in International Peacebuilding Students

Students have been selected for our highly competitive MA in International Peacebuilding for 2025-26. The program is a one-year, residential, 36-credit, master’s degree program where students develop interreligious literacy and acquire constructive conflict intervention skills through a combination of service-learning, traditional courses, experiential courses, and project-based learning. Below are the profiles of our incoming class, which will begin studies in August. A couple of students requested anonymity, so their profiles are not included in this article.

Frank Nyamede
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: Ghana

Frank is a human resources and operations specialist currently serving as the operations specialist at Africa House, a platform committed to accelerating innovation and cross-sector collaboration across Africa. In this role, Frank supports the coordination of major initiatives such as the Africa House Future Forum at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is also responsible for drafting sponsorship and partnership documents, managing internal communications, and supporting project execution across the organization. Frank holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, and has also completed training in Data Analytics with Power BI. Before joining Africa House, he held HR and recruitment roles at Hire2Retire Africa Ltd., Raise Recruiting, and Sneda Shopping Centre Ltd., where he focused on employee relations, compliance, talent acquisition, and payroll administration. His background in both nonprofit and corporate environments brings a practical and adaptable approach to the team’s work. Outside of work, Frank enjoys reading, volunteering, and exploring new ideas in development and innovation.

Maria Christou
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: Greece

Maria is from Athens, Greece, and holds a degree in Theology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in “Identity, Education, and Competences for Democratic Culture,” with a strong focus on human rights education and intercultural dialogue. In addition to her academic background, Maria has completed specialized training in special education, criminology, and group empowerment and facilitation. She is deeply committed to inclusive education, peacebuilding, and fostering empathy and understanding in diverse communities. Known for her sensitivity and compassion, Maria is driven by a strong desire to contribute to a better, more just world. She is excited to contribute to the diverse HIU community and to deepen her understanding of peace and reconciliation practices across different faiths and traditions. Outside of her studies, she loves traveling and discovering new cultures, connecting with people from different backgrounds, listening to music, dancing, trying new foods, and capturing moments through photography. She is also a proud dog mom to a beloved golden retriever, who holds a very special place in her heart.

Ramatu Binyamin
Religious identity: Muslim
Country of origin: Ghana

Ramatu had worked in areas of tribal conflict resolution and youth leadership. She has represented her community at international summits in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, etc., promoting peace through interfaith dialogue. Ramatu is eager to delve deeper into the MAP program at Hartford International University. Her passion lies in building bridges across differences and empowering young voices in peace processes. When she is not engaged in community work, she enjoys reading historical fiction and exploring new cultures through cooking.

Dimitrios Passalidis
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: Greece

Dimitrios is originally from Greece and is passionate about education and community building. He graduated from the Department of Primary Education at the Democritus University of Thrace and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Identity, Education and Competences for Democratic Culture at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dimitrios has worked as a primary school teacher for two academic years, teaching in both Santorini and Heraklion, Crete. This past year was particularly meaningful for him, as it was his first experience as a lead classroom teacher, an exciting and eye-opening challenge. Beyond his work in education, Dimitrios has a strong love for sports, with soccer holding a special place in his heart.

Joanne Kyrkou
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: Greece

Joanne holds a bachelor's degree in English and American Language and Literature from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and for the past few years, she has worked as an EFL/ESL instructor in a Foreign Language Center while also providing free English lessons for children in need. Following her bachelor's, she entered her first master's program in Identity, Education and Democratic Culture at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a deep love and interest in bringing people together, cultivating understanding, and building respect for and support of human rights. She has also worked as a volunteer subtitler and translator in small, local projects. Her job as a tutor has provided her with great knowledge and skills in creating and managing a safe and efficient learning space and helping people of all ages realize what great potential we all have in stepping into the unknown and changing our world for the better through personal growth and dedication. Outside of work, Joanne likes cooking, baking and reading. She loves taking long walks with her dog, Ares, and she enjoys traveling and seeing the world.

Ayantu Abdissa
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: Ethiopia

Ayantu is a passionate advocate for girls' and women's rights, with expertise in Development Studies, focusing on Gender, Health, and Theology, as well as diplomacy and international relations. She is dedicated to challenging systemic injustice, structural barriers, and cultural norms that hinder gender equality. Ayantu is an advocate for peace and human rights, with a particular focus on promoting the role of women of faith in her sphere of influence. Furthermore, she has spearheaded different initiatives to address issues affecting women, including establishing a local NGO called "SHE MATTERS," which implemented multiple strategic projects benefiting vulnerable and hard-to-reach women, especially those in prison. She also serves as a Deputy Commissioner for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church - Mekane Yesus Development and Social Service Commission (EECMY-DASSC), the church’s development arm, which implements multiple development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding projects across Ethiopia. She is passionate about creating a safe space to listen to the stories of vulnerable women and capitalizing on quality interventions. Outside of work, she enjoys taking long walks, journaling, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her dog.

Sam Pudlin
Religious identity: Jewish
Country of origin: USA

Sam Pudlin is a Hartford area native and organizer fighting for Hartford's neighborhoods, public schools, and clean elections. He is a leader in Connecticut's Anti-War and Palestine Solidarity movement. In 2023, Sam co-founded HJOC, the first Jewish congregation to hold services in Hartford since 1986, and now the city's largest Jewish organization. He will be using the Peacebuilding skills he learns at HIU to strengthen the bonds of solidarity in his local community.

Robert Wohner
Religious identity: Christian
Country of origin: USA

Robert grew up in Queens, New York. He has served in several roles, supporting various communities, whether in immigration advocacy in Washington, DC, higher education, or local New York congregations. Robert is proud of the range of ages he has worked to know and serve. He finds a lot of joy in building environments that nurture each person’s confidence in their gifts and possibilities. 

Welcome!