Seventeen students are taking part in a Peace Leadership Skills Program sponsored by Student Services and the Offices of Dominican Mission and Ministries. Students are participating in this six session program to grow in skills of active listening, communication, conflict resolution and mediation.
The students participating in this program are: Robert Keidel, Daniel Valmont, Torrie Cook, Amber Cohens, Glenn Johnson, Samantha Milano, Kyra Scannelli, Kaleib Grant, Veronica Brunnetti, Max Barreuther, Zaida Velasco, Esther Hartzell, Stacie Hurley, Earl McCoy, Emili Dubar, Gabriel Scala and Shannon Knox. The sessions are facilitated by Sr. Maria Bessing, O.P., Justin Cirisoli, Deacon John Hoffman and Sr. Anne Kilbride, O.P.
The program includes six sessions, three offered in October and the other three in February.
Each session has different themes:
Session 1 – Identifying the Dynamics and Experiences of Violence
Session 2 – Conflict and Power
Session 3 – Supportive Communication Skills
Session 4 – Assertive Communication Skills
Session 5 – Negotiation/Mediation Skills
Session 6 – Developing Non-Violent Responses
Each session begins with supper and includes a reflection from a Dominican, a lesson on a skill or skills and practice sessions. This program is made possible through a grant from the Dominican Sisters of Peace, sponsors of Albertus Magnus College.
Sister Anne Kilbride, O.P., special assistant to the president for the promotion of the Catholic, Dominican Heritage at Albertus Magnus College. She came to the College in 2011 as a consultant to gather ideas and make recommendations on new and creative ways to strengthen the College’s long relationship with the Dominican Sisters. Now she assists the College in developing academic and social links with national and international Dominican teachers and preachers.
Sister Anne received a bachelor’s degree in English and education from Southern Connecticut State University, and master’s degrees from the University of Notre Dame in theology and Boston College in pastoral ministry; she also pursued further study in counseling, family counseling and theology at the University of Notre Dame, Ohio Dominican University and St. Joseph College.
Deeply involved in congregational ministry and leadership for the past decade, she served as a member of her congregation’s leadership team and as prioress. Her primary focus has been to promote Dominican life and mission now and into the future.