International Peacebuilding Students Chosen for 2023-24

Students for 2023-24 have been selected for our highly competitive MA in International Peacebuilding. 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. Welcome! 

Godknows Maremera 
Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Religious identity: Christian

Godknows holds a BS in Geography and Environmental Studies. He is a Christian from the United Methodist Church and a man who tolerates divergent views above all wisdom. He is an author, evangelist, missionary, human rights and social justice advocate, peace ambassador, United Nations Major Group of Youth and Children -United Nations Environment Program member, and Green Faith international network member. He has worked in multifaith environments and causes while serving at Green Scenery Sierra Leone, Green Faith, and UNEP-MGYC faith working group. He is ready to connect, engage, and grow with the community at Hartford International University, stating that we have been in this together, we are in this together, and we will be in this together.

Mirian De-Souza
Country of origin: Ghana
Religious identity: Christian

Mirian holds a BA in Social Work (major) with Sociology from the University of Ghana and a MA in Public Sector Management from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. She is the current Country Director (Ghana) for Global Peace Chain. She is also the National Youth Coordinator for the Ghana Conference of Religions for Peace. In addition, she is a member of the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee and the 2023 Inclusivity Community of Practice Steering Committee of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. In 2021, Mirian participated in the International Training on Dialogue and Mediation program organized by the Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research in collaboration with the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. Mirian is confident the MAP program is an added advantage and an opportunity to shape her skills in promoting peaceful relations among religious communities.

Reham Mossad  
Country of origin: Egypt
Religious identity: Christian

Working as a school psychologist in a public elementary school and dealing with the children’s daily problems in the school environment gave Reham a chance to study and observe the impact of the surrounding environment on them. She found the MAP program when looking for a nontraditional education that could help her learn more about peacebuilding and experience diversity. She wants to teach her students how to accept and value the differences between people because everyone needs to learn how to live in peace with others, especially children who are role models for adults.Reham also believes that music and singing are the most effective ways to tell the world about peace and how God loves everyone in his way. She is a member of a very popular choir here in Egypt called “the church praises.”

Leah Simon
Country of origin: USA
Religious identity: Jewish

Before getting her BA in Global Studies with a Geography minor, Leah adventured to the Caribbean and Southeast Asia to teach English as a second language for a year. An active student, she focused on the Jewish community while joining social justice initiatives around campus to enhance unity through combating social injustices on and off campus. Upon graduation, Leah dived headfirst into social work, public health, non-profit, and education, focusing on themes of homelessness, refugee communities, and health & education equity in the physical regions of the Triangle, NC, and NYC. She loves being creatively active, creating community, and spending time in nature with others in her free time. She also loves exploring new cuisines and cultures through travel and taking advantage of the abundant diversity around her, wherever she may be.

Amar Al Moussawy
Country of origin: Lebanon
Religious identity: Muslim

Amar is a Mechanical Engineering graduate aiming to foster peace through technology and a portrait artist using art to tackle social problems. As a choir member in Lebanon, she participates in a peacebuilding program, uniting individuals from different backgrounds through the power of music. Additionally, Amar actively engages with social work NGOs, particularly Adyan Foundation, where she previously served as the youth coordinator, promoting interfaith dialogue and empathy. Being a scout leader, Amar guides children of various religions and sects, fostering friendship and mutual respect. Amar’s passion for peace also led her to participate in the iDove Interfaith Dialogue, discussing strategies to prevent violent extremism with experts from over 30 countries, enriching her understanding. Through engineering innovations, art, music, and active peacebuilding, she strives to create a world where understanding and collaboration thrive, positively impacting society.

Aminu Yakubu Sharafudeen
Country of origin: Ghana
Religious identity: Muslim

Sharaf holds a BA in Education with Information Studies from Ghana's premier university, the University of Ghana. He served as an Imam to over 1000 Muslim Students on Campus. In conjunction with his teachers at Ihya-Au Deen Islamic School, Sharaf established a well-structured Qur'an memorization center in Ejura, which currently benefits over 300 students. He volunteers at the "Stichting Al Jariah Foundation" from the Netherlands, helping to provide essential resources like food, portable drinking water (Borehole), and shelter to the impoverished and vulnerable in Ghana. Sharaf is thrilled about the nature of the MAP program as it will allow him to promote social justice and peace among individuals, his society, and the world by providing him with the needed knowledge and skills. Sharaf aspires to make a global impact by working with the United Nations and strives to contribute to the noble cause of fostering sustainable peace and harmony worldwide.

Evans Nyamadzawo
Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Religious identity: Christian

Evans is passionate about promoting peaceful co-existence, peacebuilding, reconciliation, human flourishing, respect for the dignity and integrity of all, fairness, inclusiveness, just treatment of all, respect for human rights, and good governance. That has influenced him to undertake various academic studies in Italy, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Evans is a Russell Berrie Fellow, an alumnus of the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue, Young Adults Training for Religious Amity program (YATRA), and Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Southern Africa Cohort for the Civil Leadership Track. Evans is a current KAICIID fellow for the African Cohort. He hopes that the experience at HIU will help him fulfill his dream of founding the African Center for Intercultural and Interreligious Understanding. 

Markus Dogo
Country of origin: Nigeria
Religious identity: Christian

Markus holds a BA in Geography. He was an Admin Assistant and, later, the Admin officer in the construction firm Shiloh Development Limited. When Markus was ordained in the Anglican Church, he served as a rural evangelist. In 2001, he was ordained priest in the Diocese of Wusasa Zaria, North West Nigeria, and worked steadily as a priest for 13 years, all in rural Churches in northern Nigeria. To widen his capacity, Markus earned a postgraduate Diploma in Theology and a Master’s degree in divinity. He has worked in many Churches in Wusasa and Kebbi Dioceses and has held many offices, from an Evangelist to a Deacon, Priest, Reverend Canon, and a Very Reverend (Archdeacon.) In 2011, he was elected the Second Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese in the Ecclesiastical Province of Abuja, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Markus is open to mutual interactions and adventures, like travel and reading. He draws his strength from people.

Shekhe Danladi
Country of origin: Nigeria
Religious identity: Christian

Growing up in Northern Nigeria, Shekhe was exposed to experiences of religious crisis and unrest. She watched on one hand as hate indoctrination and intolerance caused the loss of loved ones, property, and lives, leaving behind a trail of hopelessness, fear, and hate. Also, on the other not-so-popular hand, she watched how forgiveness, reaching out, love, and kindness have significantly changed lives. Love helped Shekhe handle her trauma; that’s why she chose love and kindness to contribute her quota to bridging the gap, restoring peace, and bringing hope. She came to be known as mamman mu (our mother) as she stepped into the role of a mother—a mother to many children across religious and cultural backgrounds. Children affected by the crisis. Shekhe cares for them and guides them toward hope and peace, loving them in hopes that they also grow to love and break the chain of violence.

Anita Odhiambo
Country of origin: Kenya
Religious identity: Christian

Anita is a passionate climate change advocate and environmentalist. She holds a BS in Environmental Health from Kenyatta University. As an Environmental Coordinator at Kijana Educational and Empowerment Initiative, Anita has been at the forefront of the "Care of Creation" project, collaborating with diverse faith and ethnic communities to foster environmental care and conservation. Her dedication resulted in the planting of 1.2 million tree seedlings in Western Kenya. An advocate of Perma-Peace, Anita has worked tirelessly to promote peaceful coexistence in schools, churches, and communities. By training individuals to become Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), she advocates for ecosystem and resource management through best practices in agro-ecological systems, such as Permaculture-Syntrophic Agroforestry, particularly in fragile inter-clan boundaries within Kisumu and Rongo-Kisii counties. Anita's Christian faith plays an essential role in her work, guiding her efforts to create a greener, harmonious world through environmental conservation and community empowerment.

Natasha White
Country of origin: USA
Religious identity: Non-religious

Natasha White is an author and visionary who resides in Connecticut with her husband and their three sons. She holds a BA in Psychology from Western CT State University and has been working in the mental health field for over twenty years. In addition, she is a certified trainer of crisis intervention/management using trauma-informed strategies and methods. Her interests include ancient history, metaphysics, psychology, quantum physics, religion/spirituality, and science. Twelve years ago, Natasha experienced a transformative spiritual awakening/rebirth. Since, she has dedicated her life to manifesting her vision of world peace through trauma healing and religious collaboration. This mission has led her to the MAP program, where she is excited to deepen her relationship with the Divine Creator, meet amazing and diverse individuals, and inspire sustainable change within her community. 

Habiba Mickdad
Country of origin: Tanzania
Religious identity: Muslim

Habiba, a BA graduate in History and Political Science from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, discovered her passion for leadership, peace-building, and interfaith affairs through her involvement in the Students' Organization (DARUSO). Inspired by the Campus Interfaith Leadership Conference, she founded the University Students' Association for Interfaith Cooperation (USAIC) to promote harmony among diverse religious backgrounds. As a co-founder of Interfaith Africa, Habiba actively works to foster collaboration among people of different faiths, aiming to mobilize Africa toward peaceful coexistence. Habiba sees the MAP program at HIU as a perfect fit for her aspirations and a path to making a positive global impact. With her rich history, unwavering commitment, and genuine desire for change, she eagerly anticipates using the program's knowledge to advance peace-building and interfaith understanding worldwide.

Christopher Atiso
Country of origin: Ghana
Religious identity: Christian

Christopher holds a BSc in accounting from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and an MPhil in Finance from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). He is driven by a passion for preaching and teaching the youth the word of God. In 2017, he pursued a diploma course in ecumenical studies from the University of Geneva in collaboration with the Bossey Institute of Ecumenism (Switzerland). He is currently a pastor of Global Revival Ministry in Madina, a suburb of Accra. Christopher undertakes mission works in La Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and Togo, where he teaches and trains the youth to serve God. One of the hindrances to his work is the rising ethnic conflict in West Africa. Christopher is, therefore, confident that the MAP program at HIU will empower him with the knowledge to participate in the peacebuilding process in the communities where he does his pastoral and mission work.