Even in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, new and recent graduates of the Ph.D. Program in Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies continue to secure high-profile teaching, research and administrative positions in higher education institutions.
“In light of the economic downturn and enrollment uncertainties higher education has experienced over the past 15 months, our doctoral students are finding that their transdisciplinary research and teaching experience matches up well with the changing needs of many colleges and universities,” said George A. Lopez, placement director for the Ph.D. program and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., professor emeritus of peace studies. “And most critical in their success is their substantive knowledge and skills in dealing with the national and global challenges of reducing violence, structural racism, and disinformation that spreads hatred.”
This year’s placements include:
Colleen Cross (peace studies and theology, '20) has been named Assistant Director for Foundation Relations with the University of Notre Dame’s Development Office. She previously completed a 5+1 postdoctoral year with Foundation Relations.
Anna Fett (doctoral candidate in peace studies and history) has been appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.
Kristina Hook (peace studies and anthropology, ‘20) will move to a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Conflict Management at the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw (Georgia) State University. She previously served as the Research Assistant Professor and Executive Director of the Better Evidence Project at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
Kathrin Kranz (peace studies and political science ‘16) taught at Oberlin College and Bridgewater College before taking a position in 2018 at the University of Chicago. As of March 2021, she now serves as Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Career Development.
Richard “Drew” Marcantonio (peace studies and anthropology ‘21) received his Ph.D. in May and will be appointed as a postdoctoral teaching scholar this fall at the Kroc Institute under the auspices of the College of Arts and Letters 5+1 postdoctoral program, which is supported in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Karie Cross Riddle (peace studies and political science ‘17) has been appointed Assistant Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, following four years as Assistant Professor of Political Science at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Steven Savides (doctoral candidate in peace studies and theology) will be appointed Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, upon successful defense of his dissertation later this summer. Savides’ focus on peace studies implications for mass communication expands the diversity of the academic fields where Kroc Institute graduates have put their expertise to work.
Learn more about the Peace Studies Ph.D. program at kroc.nd.edu/phd.
Contact: Kevin Vaughn, assistant director for doctoral studies, krocphd@nd.edu
Originally published by at kroc.nd.edu on June 07, 2021.