SPOTLIGHT: IPCR Alumni Roundtable, March 25, 2009

The IPCR Program took its Alumni Roundtable Series on the road last spring with a successful event featuring alumni working at the U.S. Institute of Peace. With such strong connections between the work of the organization and the core concepts of the IPCR Program, many members of the IPCR community gravitate toward USIP. Alumnae Shira Lowinger and Elizabeth Detweiler, as well as Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow Chuck Call (an IPCR faculty member), represented USIP. Held at a local restaurant in Dupont Circle, this event attracted the highest turnout since the inception of the Series in the Fall of 2008. The roundtable served to connect current graduate students in IPCR with alumni of the program in order to see the practical application of their degree with their future career paths. Hear what IPCR students who attended the event had to say: 

“Meeting the USIP employees provided a great opportunity to network and discuss topics of interests with professionals in the field. At the same time it helped to ascertain the direction and field of my employment interests and goals.”          ~Graig Klein, IPCR MA Candidate ‘10 

“USIP is a major organization for anyone studying peace and conflict resolution, so it was great to meet people that work in the field that I hope to be in someday.” The IPCR Alumni Roundtable Series will continue in the Fall 2009 semester. Watch the IPCR website for specific event details.”                                                                                                 ~ Thiago Dal-Toe, IPCR MA Candidate ‘10

General Description of Alumni Roundtable Series

The IPCR Alumni Roundtable Series is a response to students’ interest in building stronger connections with local alumni. The Series began in the Fall of 2008 with three roundtables structured around the themes of working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The series continues on different themes to help students explore professional options that they are already interested in or to expand their concept of possible career options with a degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. The events are set up as roundtables to facilitate candid discussion between students and alumni who once stood in their shoes and now share common roots as members of the IPCR community.

Interested in participating in an Alumni Roundtable? Tell us where you’re working! Write to peace@american.edu with your title, organization, and area of focus.

IPCR Alumni Association

Join fellow IPCR Alumni at monthly networking events every third Wednesday of the month. IPCR Alumni, students, and friends are invited to these monthly get-togethers. Watch for specific time and location information here and on IPCR listservs.

Stay Connected with the IPCR Community

There are many ways alumni can stay connected with IPCR!

• Network and connect with current students
• Be part of a panel of alumni and share your stories with new and prospective students
• Spread the word about the great events, publications and other endeavors involving IPCR faculty, staff, students and alumni
• Stay in touch and let us know about your work
• Join the IPCR Community Group Page on Facebook
• Tell us how we can help you

For information on any of these opportunities, please contact 202.885.1622 or email peace@american.edu.