M.S. Program in Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Columbia University

Today’s Alumni Spotlight shines on Joella R. Charles (NECR ’22), who recently earned her Master of Arts in Management from Harvard University. 🎓

In reflecting on her academic journey, Joella shared how the frameworks and dialogue-driven approaches she developed through Columbia’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program continue to shape her work in leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making.

We are proud to celebrate Joella’s accomplishments and excited to see the impact she will continue to make. Please join us in congratulating her on this incredible milestone! 👏

How meaningful is participation if communities are only invited into decision-making after the outcomes have already been determined?

In his recent article, Participation; Even in Monitoring and Evaluation?, NECR student Gabriel Feldman explores how participatory monitoring and evaluation (P-M&E) can strengthen transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability within community-based initiatives. Drawing from Project Restore Bedstuy (PRB), Gabriel examines how community-centered participation can move beyond symbolic inclusion and become a foundation for systems change, shared ownership, and rights realization.

Currently serving as Project Director for Columbia University’s Center for Justice, Gabriel brings a background spanning humanitarian aid, refugee support, program management, and participatory justice initiatives into his research and practice.

His work reflects the interdisciplinary and practice-oriented spirit of the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program at Columbia University, where students critically engage with conflict, governance, systems change, and collaborative problem-solving in practice.

Read more through the Student Journal for the Study of Human Rights.

Article Link: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/sjshr/article/view/14789

Print Issue: https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/sjshr/issue/view/1075

The workplace is changing faster than most organizations can adapt. Markets shift overnight. AI is reshaping workflows in real time. Entire industries are being redefined by new technologies, evolving expectations, and economic uncertainty.

So what kind of education actually prepares professionals for this environment?

On June 4, join Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) for the next event in the Frame Your Future 2026 series: If the Market Changed Today, Would Your Education Keep Up?

Moderated by Tiffany Hughes, associate dean of graduate programs, this virtual conversation brings together Columbia SPS faculty who are actively shaping the industries they teach. Speakers Lauren Glover, Shaba R. Keys, Benjamin Kinsella, and Erik Nelson will explore how professional education must evolve alongside the workplace and how applied, flexible, and industry-connected learning can help professionals stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Learn more and RSVP: https://bit.ly/4wwvPno

Here’s to the conversations that shaped us and the ones still waiting to happen. 🎓

Throughout their time in Columbia University’s Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program, this cohort brought curiosity, compassion, and courage to every classroom, conference, project, and challenge.

Thank you for the perspectives, leadership, and sense of community you brought to NECR. Congratulations, Class of 2026.

We can’t wait to see what comes next!

Twenty-five years of bringing people together, and the conversation keeps getting better. 🎉

The ACR-GNY Annual Conference is back for its 25th year, and this time the theme says it all: Ex/change — Established Practice & Emerging Ideas.

From June 9–12, 2026, practitioners, educators, and scholars from across the field will gather online to do what this community does best: learn from each other, challenge the way we work, and ask how conflict resolution can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

This isn't just a conference. It's a quarter-century of people choosing dialogue over division.

🎓 NECR students: the program may have extra tickets reserved just for you. Reach out to your program office and let them know you're interested before spots are gone!

RSVP: https://spscolumbia.campusgroups.com/click?email_links_id=288615&member_id=23412159

As May comes to an end, our NECR Graduation Series continues as we celebrate the stories, experiences, and reflections that shaped our Class of 2026.

Next up: Sebastian Santander, ’26.

With experience across investment banking and entrepreneurship, Sebastian has worked on deal ex*****on, capital raising, and cross-border partnerships. His time in NECR reflects a focus on negotiation in practice, where strategy, alignment, and real-world decision-making come together.

Congratulations, Sebastian! 🎓

Support the students of Columbia University as they cross the stage today. 🎓

A special shoutout to our NECR community! Your work, dedication, and impact don’t go unnoticed.

Tune in live: https://commencement.columbia.edu/content/webcast

Today’s the day! Congratulations Class of 2026! Let’s celebrate every step that got you here. Share your moments and tag us with .

Tune in to the livestreams to celebrate our grads! SPS Graduation is available on the Commencement website for live, online viewing during the event. Recordings of the ceremony will be available for on-demand viewing on the Commencement website after the event.

Morning ceremony (10:30 A.M. ET) livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5890197

Afternoon ceremony (3:00 P.M. ET) livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/5890221

The NECR Graduation Series continues as we celebrate the stories, experiences, and reflections that shaped our Class of 2026.

Next up: Femke van der Drift, ’26.

Through interdisciplinary learning, fieldwork experiences, and cross-registration opportunities across Columbia University, Femke explored the intersections of diplomacy, peacebuilding, and international cooperation. Her time in NECR challenged her to think more deeply about conflict, power, language, and the spaces where meaningful change takes place.

Congratulations, Femke! 🎓

As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we’re launching our NECR Graduation Series to highlight the journeys behind the degree.

First up: Douaa Ahmed, ’26.