Leading Through Conflict: The Forum on Education Abroad’s New Residency Equips International Educators for a Polarized World

8/14/2025

From July 29 to August 1, 2025, The Forum on Education Abroad hosted a transformative four-day Beyond Polarization Residency for international educators, aimed at providing essential strategies for navigating conflict in today’s increasingly polarized world. The event, which was held at the University of Denver, brought together more than 30 professionals to explore how education abroad can serve as a powerful tool in bridging cultural divides while fostering meaningful, productive dialogue across differences.

As political, technological, and social shifts deepen global divisions, the role of international educators in mitigating conflict and promoting understanding has become more critical than ever. The residency served as an opportunity for mid-career professionals and senior international officers to acquire the frameworks and tools necessary to engage with and resolve conflicts constructively, both within their institutions and the wider international education community.

A Comprehensive Approach to Conflict Transformation
The residency offered a multifaceted curriculum aimed at empowering educators with practical tools to address conflict across various contexts. Among the core topics covered were the neurobiology of empathy, the influence of digital media and artificial intelligence on communication, and real-world peace-building strategies. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from renowned experts outside the field of education abroad, including:

John Paul Lederach, Ph.D., Conflict Resolution and Mediation Expert
Jennifer McCoy, Ph.D., Regent’s Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University, Nonresident Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Research Affiliate at CEU’s Democracy Institute in Budapest
Aziz Abu Sarah, Co-Founder, InterAct International
Lori (Binky) Walker, LMFT, RPT, ATR, Behavioral Health Therapist

Through these lessons and associated discussions, participants were guided on how to better engage with differences and build global understanding.

Beyond Polarization Faculty and Speakers

Reflecting on the importance of this integrated approach, Residency Advisor and faculty member Marissa Lombardi, who is also Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at The Forum, shared, “The work of turning conflict into collaboration begins with understanding our own physiological responses. By bringing these concepts into practice, educators can more effectively foster an environment that is not only supportive but also transformative for students and communities.”

In addition to our residency speakers, the residency faculty members served as both mentors and subject matter experts, providing guidance, context, and critical insights. Our esteemed faculty for 2025 was:

Troy Gordon, Ph.D., Director of Global Teaching & Learning, Syracuse University Abroad
Martha Johnson, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer and Provost, CEA CAPA
Marissa Lombardi, Ed.D., Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, The Forum on Education Abroad
Angelina Rodriguez, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Provost for Global Learning; Teaching Associate Professor, Lehigh University
David Wick, Ed.D., Associate Professor; Program Chair, International Education Management, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Diplomacy & Peacebuilding: Systems-Level Approaches
Another key component of the residency was focused on systems-level peace-building strategies, illustrated through case studies such as conflict transformation in Northern Ireland. These real-world examples showcased large-scale approaches to resolving conflict and offered educators the chance to understand how these methods can be applied to institutional and educational contexts.

Melissa Torres, Forum President & CEO, emphasized the importance of these peace-building techniques, stating, “Conflict transformation is not just about resolving individual disputes; it’s about transforming systems. As educators, we must prepare students to engage with the world’s most pressing issues, equipping them with the tools to become agents of change.”

Practical Applications for Educational Contexts
The final days of the residency were dedicated to practical application. Participants engaged in collaborative workshops where they developed strategies for responding to conflicts within their institutional contexts. These included designing action plans for incorporating conflict transformation practices into academic programs and institutional policies. The emphasis was on creating sustainable, long-term solutions that would foster collaboration and mutual respect across cultural divides.

The opportunity to work in teams also allowed participants to draft strategies for integrating deliberative practices into institutional collaboration, ensuring that conflict resolution processes are embedded at the organizational level.

Before residency participants left Denver, they were invited to make commitments to inner and outer work when it comes to conflict transformation and moving this work forward.

Ongoing Support, Connection & Reflection
Recognizing the importance of continued collaboration, The Forum will offer online space for participants to engage and connect for the next 12 months. This will allow the opportunity for ongoing reflection and support as participants implement the strategies learned during the residency.

“The ongoing engagement is a vital component,” Lombardi added. “Building lasting networks and continuing to exchange insights and challenges will ensure that these strategies are not only learned but also lived.”

Shortly after the residency concluded, attendees shared their own reflections on the transformative impact of the program. “This unique and uplifting experience brought international education leaders together to explore identity, dialogue, and peacebuilding through a deeply academic and relational lens. The conversations were timely, the learning profound, and the sense of community energizing,” said Samila Sosic, Executive Director, Office of International Education at Miami Dade College. “I left with renewed clarity on how neuroscience-informed practices and inclusive dialogue can shape student-centered global programs that respond to today’s complex realities with empathy and purpose. The residency program emphasized co-creation of community, self-awareness in intercultural contexts, and practical tools for depolarization and connection.”

Morgan Morris Inabinet, Director of the Education Abroad Office at the University of South Carolina remarked, “The Beyond Polarization Residency was a transformative experience and one of the most unique professional development opportunities I’ve had in the field that deepened my understanding of dialogue across difference. Through thoughtful discussions and collaborative activities with the incredible presenters and participants, I gained practical tools for fostering inclusive, respectful engagement and learned new ways to approach challenging conversations. I left feeling inspired, energized, and better equipped to bridge divides in my work and community.”

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Transformative Education
The residency has equipped participants with not only the skills to manage conflict effectively but also the confidence to foster environments that encourage collaboration and mutual understanding. The ongoing support from The Forum ensures that educators will continue to apply these valuable insights, ultimately creating a more harmonious and productive educational landscape.

As international educators continue to grapple with the complexities of today’s divided world, the lessons learned from this residency will serve as a critical resource in fostering productive, empathetic engagement across cultures.

Reflecting on the impact of the residency, Martha L. Merritt, D.Phil., Dean and the Carole M. Weinstein Chair of Global Education at the University of Richmond, emphasized how the program provided a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of personal well-being and professional commitment in the context of global engagement.

“This summer’s residency on Beyond Polarization gave us a dedicated time together to consider how to situate ourselves as international educators in our troubled times, drawing on expertise from global engagement, psychology, political science, and peacebuilding,” Dean Merritt said. “I especially appreciated the linking of our well-being to our ability to perceive alternative pathways for ourselves, our students, and our communities. Coming together to consider our own commitments and pathways to constructive global engagement identified a like-minded group of peers I value and will continue to consult.”

Special thanks to our sponsors WorldStrides Higher Education, The Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation (Conflict Transformation Collaborative), and the Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad. Learn more about the Beyond Polarization Residency today.

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