She Leads for Peace
Each summer, the Undergraduate Program in Peace Studies sponsors up to seven Notre Dame undergraduate women to attend the She Leads for Peace Summer School in Geneva.
This two-week seminar, offered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, allows young women to explore what it means to be a woman leader in global peace.
Participants gain an understanding of their own leadership style, learn what it takes to build a career in the international peace and humanitarian sector, and connect with the women leaders who are currently shaping the global peace and development landscape.
Weekdays consist of experiential learning sessions featuring peer-to-peer exchanges, talks from esteemed guest speakers, guided self-reflection exercises, and visits to international organizations in the peace, security, and humanitarian sectors. Students also have time to network with other participants and a weekend to explore the vibrant international culture of Geneva. Participants receive a UN certification at the end of the two-week program.
The Kroc Institute selects and funds the Notre Dame women who participate each year, with preference given to those pursuing a peace studies supplementary major or minor. The funding covers flights, accommodations, and program tuition (which includes materials, coffee breaks, and lunches on course days). Students are encouraged to find additional funding to cover meal costs and other incidentals.
2024 Summer School
Dates: August 5-16, 2024
Theme: Exploring the Sustainable Peace Ecosystem
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Eligibility: Any Notre Dame undergraduate woman with an academic and professional interest in peace studies, international development, or global affairs may apply. The program is geared toward women transitioning from student life to professional life, so ideal participants will be rising seniors or graduating seniors. Rising juniors and rising sophomores might also be considered in certain instances.
Requirements: Selected students must complete any required travel registrations and/or orientations and abide by all university policies when engaged in funded activities. Students who withdraw after committing to the program must reimburse the Kroc Institute for any and all nonrefundable costs incurred. After the trip, students must provide a learning reflection (with photos) and participate in a feedback session with the directors of the undergraduate program.
Application Guidelines
Deadline: March 28, 2024
To apply, complete and submit the 2024 She Leads for Peace Application and attach your current resume and an application statement where prompted. Please answer all questions in detail and upload all documents in PDF format.
Your application statement should address the following three questions:
- (250 words) Discuss why you want to participate in this program. How will the program contribute to your educational and professional development goals?
- (250 words) Describe what makes you a good candidate for this program. What academic or international experience do you have and how will it contribute to successful participation?
- (250 words) Share a situation in which you demonstrated resourcefulness. What kind of self-examination or reflection did you undertake? What did you learn as a result?
Questions and Advising
If you have questions about the program or the application process, please book an advising appointment or contact Anna K. Van Overberghe, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, at avanove1@nd.edu.
Contact
To meet with the director of undergraduate studies, contact:
Laura Miller-Graff
Associate Professor of Psychology and Peace Studies
Director of Undergraduate Studies
lmiller8@nd.edu
To learn more about the program or declare a major or minor in peace studies, email:
Anna K. Van Overberghe
Assistant Director for Academic Administration and Undergraduate Studies
avanove1@nd.edu