The P.E.A.C.E. Center located in lower Oceanside 108C. The P.E.A.C.E. Center, which stands for “Promoting Peace, Educational and Cross-cultural Exploration,” emphasizes intercultural and global skills by offering various events and educational opportunities that are fun and encourage diversity.
The P.E.A.C.E. Center grew out of an Intercultural Psychology class project last fall. Students of Professor Sally Wu championed the idea of the Center and presented it to the College administration as a place where students could go that was peaceful and would allow time for quiet reflection, as well as foster intercultural understanding through various programs and activities. Students work as interns for college credit, or as volunteers, staffing the P.E.A.C.E. Center and planning events with support from the Intercultural Faculty Mentors—Professors Carolann DeSelms, Al Lewis, Susie Martin, and Sally Wu.
History of the Peace Center
In Fall 2008 the Intercultural Psychology class completed a research project on ways to encourage cross-cultural awareness, interaction, and understanding among college students. The students were encouraged to take a student-centered approach. After brainstorming, reviewing related literature, consulting with Marymount professionals, and writing numerous revisions, the project turned into a proposal and was presented in class to President Michael Brophy and the Academic Vice-President. The students were invited to present at the college’s governance Cabinet, which then approved a semester-long pilot, funded out of the President’s Enterprise Fund.
In Spring 2009 Marymount students focused on the logistics of setting up a new center, activities, and programs related to Promoting Peace, Educational, and Cross-cultural Exploration, including Irish, Pakistani, Japanese/Japanese American, Indonesian, Chinese, and Martial Arts Culture Weeks, Cinco de Mayo, and Shakespeare’s birthday as well as presentations and/or conversations about peace, love, service to others, stereotypes and prejudice, spirituality, and travel and study-travel.
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Faculty Contact Information: Dr. Ghada Masri Sally Wu |
