Dear Continuing Kroc Students,

On behalf of the Kroc School, congratulations to all of you for completing the Spring semester. We are proud of the tenacity, adaptability and compassion you displayed over the past 10 weeks, and we applaud your unwavering commitment to your studies. Your performance has encouraged all of us throughout this period as you have demonstrated the character and skills required to succeed in times of crisis. Indeed, you have the very traits we need of future leaders.

As you know, the Kroc School is dedicated to educating confident, original thinkers who are prepared to face humanity’s most urgent challenges – and we have been since our founding, long before this pandemic.  The COVID-19 crisis is not solely about health. We are experiencing how the pandemic is creating multiple interconnected social, economic and political challenges. It is radically transforming the lives of individuals, communities and the entire global village. Today’s world needs changemakers and peacebuilders more than ever. That’s why, in the face of great uncertainty, we are even more dedicated to preparing you with the skills necessary to succeed while navigating today’s uncharted waters.

As practitioners in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and social innovation, our faculty and staff are by nature adaptable in the face of the challenges we now face. So, adapting we are, and in a way that ensures we will provide high quality, engaging learning experiences that link theory and practice, and nurture the mind and the heart – whether that be through digital tools, in person or a combination of both.

What to expect in the Fall

• As President Harris has communicated, the University of San Diego has a six-point plan to reopen campus for the fall semester, provided this is permitted by state and county orders.
• At the Kroc School, we are busy planning for hybrid teaching (courses that are taught both in-person and online).
• Our classrooms are being equipped with Panopto cameras, the latest technology for high-quality and engaged remote instruction. This technology will create a rich virtual classroom experience with Panopto’s online video platform for hybrid learning.
• Not all of our students will be able to travel to campus for a variety of reasons so we will ensure that all students are able to participate and interact remotely.
• To ensure health and safety at the Kroc School, we are reviewing the Fall course schedule and may make some modifications. The Academic Programs team will be in touch about this in the coming weeks.

Our Academic Programs team will be in touch with each of you in the coming days to check in about your Fall plans and answer any questions and concerns.

Although we don’t have all the answers right now, we’re dedicated to supporting your success regardless of the obstacles we must overcome. We will provide the enriching experience and network to ensure you’re positioned to adapt to today’s world.

Sincerely,

Patricia C. Márquez
Dean, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
University of San Diego