Peace isn’t a niche interest at Goshen College—it’s a shared passion. Peace is central to our identity, which is apparent in our curriculum, our history and our core values. The peace, justice and conflict studies (PJCS) program pulls together and gives full expression to the many strands of peace that permeate campus culture.
As a PJCS student, you’ll study subjects like restorative justice, social change and war and peace in the modern world. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your beliefs into action through a range of internship options. Some are local, with organizations like La Casa (working with low income families) in Goshen and the Center for Community Justice in Elkhart, and some are across North America, with agencies like Mennonite Central Committee or a summer internship with the Service Inquiry Program. Some students find a way to do international internships as well.
What can you do after college with a PJCS major? Anything that requires the ability to analyze complex problems, come up with creative solutions, be an effective organizer and transform destructive conflict in positive directions. As a graduate of the PJCS program, you’ll have top-notch preparation for your future career as a social worker, teacher, lawyer, mediator or peace worker for a service or mission organization.
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.
Jakyra Green, a junior English education major from Elkhart, won the 2023 C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest at Goshen College with her speech titled “The privilege of peace.” This feature is a written adaptation of her speech.
February 7, 2023 was the official release date for Dr. Howard Zehr’s newest book Restorative Justice: Insights and Stories from My Journey. Published by Walnut Street Books, the book contains what the title suggests – stories and insights (and photographs!) from Howard’s years spent teaching, practicing, critiquing, synthesizing, mentoring, and leading.
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.
Bauman’s calling is a combination of working for sustainability, healing, community and justice.
Nicole'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 storyWith more than 25 years of experience in conflict prevention, transformation and peacebuilding, Philip Thomas ’87 has dedicated his life to helping facilitate peace and reconciliation.
Philip's storyJes Stoltzfus Buller ’08 knows firsthand how messy the process of peacemaking can be. Shortly after graduating from Goshen College, Buller moved to Colombia as a part of Mennonite Central Committee's Seed program.
Jes' storyLydette Assefa ’09 is an attorney and clinical fellow with the Children & Family Justice Center at the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Lydette's storySam Carlson was a peace, justice and conflict studies major with a minor in women’s and gender studies who takes his PJCS studies seriously. In the summer of 2014, he served at a conflict resolution center in Palestine.
Sam'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
