Chapman University’s Attallah College, supported by external funding from the Miner Anderson Family Foundation, successfully held its second annual Peace Leadership in Schools Summit during the Fall 2024 semester. The summit, organized by Assistant Professor Anna Abdou, Associate Professor Whitney McIntyre Miller, and Instructional Associate Professor Trisha Sugita, provided a platform for school leaders from Southern California school districts and other educational institutions to explore innovative ways to promote peace and wellness within their school communities. 

Peace Leadership

This year’s summit focused on the principles and practices of integral peace leadership, connecting these concepts to education. Participants engaged in facilitated training and discussions led by the event organizers, delving into strategies to design and implement peacebuilding initiatives tailored to their specific school sites. School leaders also had dedicated time to brainstorm actionable ideas for their campuses, with the potential to apply for up to $2,000 in funding to bring their projects to life. 

Attendees included representatives from Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Los Alamitos, Anaheim, and an independent school in San Diego, underscoring the summit’s regional impact. The event’s interactive format allowed participants to share insights, collaborate, and reflect on how peace leadership could address the unique challenges faced by their schools. 

“The summit equips school leaders with the tools, resources, and inspiration to create meaningful change,” said Dr. McIntyre Miller. “By fostering dialogue and innovation, we’re empowering educators to build more peaceful and supportive school environments.” 

Peace Leadership

The highlight of the summit was the opportunity for participants to apply for funding to implement their peace leadership projects. Grants were designated for selected schools that wanted to partner with the organizing team to maximize the projects’ effectiveness and sustainability. 

The annual Peace Leadership in Schools Summit supported by the Miner Anderson Family Foundation reflects Attallah College’s commitment to fostering positive change in education. As the program continues to grow, its organizers look forward to empowering even more leaders in regional school districts.