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Alumni Spotlight: Q+A with Ben Beachy ’04 from the White House
Since November 2024, Ben Beachy has worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to President Biden for climate policy, industrial sector and community investment.
The peace, justice, and conflict studies (PJCS) program draws many compassionate and thoughtful students. As a peace and justice studies minor, you will get to join in lively discussions about humanitarian, social justice, and community development issues, and participate in active peacemaking.
The peace and justice studies program offers a unique opportunity to study human rights, social justice, political science, and international conflict issues in a Christian context. Whether you are passionate about humanitarian and civil rights causes or want to pursue a career in peacemaking, the peace and justice studies program provides the skills and perspectives you need.
In the peace and justice studies program, you will:
With just one required course, Mediation, and five electives, the minor in peace and justice studies lets you combine the courses that best match your passions. Additional course offerings are in areas such as bible and religion, philosophy, political science, environmental justice, and history. This flexibility makes the peace and justice studies minor work well for students from a wide variety of academic majors, and will provide you with a unique set of skills that sets you apart from other graduates.
Some peace and justice minors will go on to peace-focused careers, but most will use the skills and perspectives gained in the program to enhance their work in any job they might choose. Whether you go on to graduate school, study abroad, or enter the workforce right out of college, your peacemaking skills will make you a valued member of your community.
With a peace and justice studies emphasis, you will gain the skills and perspectives to understand complex social issues and engage ethically in diverse communities. Whether you are working in business, government, non-profit organizations, or education, your knowledge of peace and justice will help you make meaningful contributions to your field.
The peace and justice studies minor will prepare you for careers in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, human rights advocacy, social work, international development, law, and many other fields.
So, if you want to learn more about helping create a just and peaceful world, the peace and justice studies minor is for you!
Since November 2024, Ben Beachy has worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to President Biden for climate policy, industrial sector and community investment.
Robert Brenneman, professor of criminal justice and sociology at Goshen College, has dedicated his research career to understanding and addressing the root causes of violence, particularly in northern Central America.
Goshen College senior Jakyra Green’s speech claimed first prize in Mennonite Central Committee’s binational intercollegiate C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, after winning at Goshen College’s contest in February 2023. Green’s speech, titled “The Privilege of Peace,” focused on the illusion or privilege surrounding peace for Black people and their realities in America.
of PJCS alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education
First peace course taught at GC (War, Peace, & Nonresistance)
of our peace, justice and conflict studies alumni volunteer at least once a year
of alumni agree that PJCS professors at GC are genuinely interested in students
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Ethan Lapp ’20 is a peace, justice and conflict studies and social work double major from Goshen. He was a leader of the Prevention Intervention Network (PIN).
Ethan's storyDuring her time at Goshen College, Liz performed in theater productions, wrote for The Record and Goshen Commons and worked as a barista at Java Junction. She now works at Eyedart Creative Studio in Goshen.
Liz's storyBauman’s calling is a combination of working for sustainability, healing, community and justice.
Nicole's storyKhadar Bashir-Ali, a 1985 graduate from Somalia who majored in French, advises the Somalian government on how to improve the education system and oversees national education projects.
Khadar's storyAllen Bohnert ('98) is an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio. His work is featured in the recent documentary The Penalty, available on Amazon Video. He looks forward to being left unemployed.
Allen's storyRob Vander Giessen-Reitsma ’05 is using his peace, justice and conflict studies major to solve injustices with a Christ-centered approach.
Rob's storyRegina Shands Stoltzfus
Professor of Peace Justice & Conflict Studies
Director of PJCS
Jerrell Richer
Professor of Economics
Carl Kreider Chair
Luke Kreider
Assistant Professor of Religion and Sustainability