GCCR Student Testimonials
Learn more about the Matsunaga Institute for Peace and the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution.
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Definitely the peers, friends, and connections that I have made while in the program.
Kimberly Barnes Yamauchi, 2022
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Learning creative ways to tackle complex problems.
Kristin Bielling, 2021
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
When a classmate and I were running around campus asking students to conduct interviews with us and we came upon students who were doing the same thing.
Christopher Lee Branyord, 2020
Masters in Business Administration; Graduate Certificate in Conflict
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
From Model United Nations to Human Rights, Peace Practicum to Negotiations, participating in the Matsunaga Institute has been a great honor to learn through coursework, directed readings, events, advocacy, and digital media. I look forward to staying engaged in service to this exceptional organization.
Ari Eisenstat, 2022
PhD in Political Science, Future Studies (In Progress); Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
During PACE 647 “Mediation Theory and Practice” with Professor Tracey Wiltgen. Peter Adler was a guest speaker who spoke about large-scale international mediations.
Benjamin Gold, 2021
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
All of the incredible conversations held and positive relationships formed with classmates and professors who hailed from various professions, academic disciplines, and cultures. The GCCR program at the Matsunaga Institute was truly life-changing for me, both personally and professionally, and I am just profoundly thankful and sincerely honored to be a member of the Matsunaga Institute Family! Mahalo nui loa to all!
Ginger A. Gruters, 2020
PhD Education; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Subscribing to the Matsunaga Institute’s YouTube channel and am hooked on the “Talk Story” series. If I had more time, I’d binge-watch them all. So good!!
Jessica Hudson, 2022
MA in Public Administration; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
The course Collaboration Between Sectors (PLAN 660) with Anne Smoke and Dolores Foley. This course reminded me that I feel that my best work is working with people.
‘Ruadhán’ R. L. Hughes, 2020
MA in Second Language Studies; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Running simulations with my classmates in Professor Dan Milz’s PACE 629 “Negotiation and Conflict Resolution” class and spending time with my coworkers Laura and Jinny and others in our community.
Carol Si Ya Li, 2022
MA in Asian International Affairs; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from respectable professors, such as Dr. Tracey Wiltgen and Dr. Peter Adler who truly inspired me. I also want to thank Dr. Dan Milz who taught me that working conditions are not always comfortable and to be flexible in approaching different types of situations. In a heartwarming way, I appreciate Mr. Jose Barzola for guiding me throughout the program and always being available for me at all times to attend to my concerns. Overall, I am deeply thankful to the department for teaching me always to include empathy whenever I serve others and the community.
Luis Lopez, 2021
MA in Public Administration; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
There were so many memories during my experience as a student at the Matsunaga Institute. What makes identifying a single event as the most memorable is challenging because the field of peace and conflict resolution was new to me. I had several “aha” moments throughout the program. I had very superficial knowledge about the field and its importance in achieving positive peace. Every topic or discussion in class was a new experience, and it helped me develop a new way of understanding conflicts.
Shepherd Maingano, 2021
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
The 2018 Peace Scholars program, but really EVERYONE was the most memorable. Mahalo for EVERYTHING!
Donna ‘Ānuenue’ Mose-Kanahele, 2021
MA in Education Administration; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Taking COMG 455 “Conflict Management” with Dr. Amy Hubbard. Her class was amazing!
Katrina-Ann Kapā Oliveira, 2021
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
The choice I made to go through a one-year practicum (PACE 695) revolving around the “Peace Circle” Process for Restorative Justice (RJ). I cannot begin to explain the value that I received by immersing myself in this work for an entire year. One semester involved learning about RJ, the Peace Circle Process, getting trained in Circle work and participating in a Circle. The second semester involved the actual implementation of a Circle for a group of my students who are “Women Transitioning Back to College.” This process led to more depth and connection than any other process that I’ve used in the past (group facilitation or coaching). I am forever grateful for this opportunity, for being made aware of this process through the GCCR program, and for the great trainers and mentors who came alongside me on this journey.
Carrie Kuwada Phipps, 2022
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Learning from Kumu Kaleo Patterson in his Indigenous Peacemaking course. It was so enlightening to learn about other peaceful cultures around the Pacific and to hear about his work in the prison system to bring culturally centered programming to our incarcerated ‘ohana – so powerful! Additionally, I met Kumu Kaleo in person one day on the Mauna at Pu‘uhonua o Pu‘uhuluhulu when a delegation of kahu were making a formal offering to the kia‘i. It was a beautiful day where so much of my learning as a peacemaker, social worker, activist, and cultural practitioner culminated in one day.
Dawn Rego-Yee, 2020
MA in Social Work; Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Getting to work with the faculty on developing my capstone research topic that has already been such a priviledge.
Laura Rouse, 2021
PhD in Sociology (in progress); Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
During my facilitation class (PACE 668 “Facilitating Community and Organizational Change”), our final assignment/project as a class was to facilitate a summit for Malāma Mānoa. Each group was responsible for a specific part of the meeting. Therefore, our whole class got to work together to lead a meeting of about 100 people, and I believe it turned out amazing at the end. It was a wonderful learning experience that I was glad to be a part of!
Justine Kuna Sison, 2022
MA in Communication (In Progress); Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Almost every interaction I’ve had with each and every person that is connected to the Matsunaga Institute. I knew the first time I took a PACE class that I had found my people. I’m happy to report. These are my people.
Mari Stasky, 2022
MA in Public Administration (In Progress); Graduate Certificate in Conflict
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Surveying academic ombuds for my culminating project course (PACE 699 “Capstone”) at a workshop at Asilomar Conference Grounds in California in November 2019.
Diane Van Hoose, 2020
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Hosting the Mālama Mānoa Confabulous Summit for Dr. Milz’s PACE 668 “Facilitating Community and Organizational Change” course. Not only was it valuable field experience in conflict resolution, but it gave me an opportunity to really connect with my classmates and stakeholders in Mānoa Valley. I am grateful that I was able to have such an eye-opening experience!
Kera Wong-Miyasato, 2022
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution