Stockton Honors College Joins Global Peace Initiative 

At Stockton University, honors students are about to take their academic experience to an international level, one that encourages them not just to learn about peace, but to live it. 

Stockton was recently named one of just 16 institutions worldwide to join Partners in Peace, a groundbreaking collaboration between the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. The initiative aims to cultivate globally minded students who explore the legacy of Alfred Nobel and the work of Nobel Peace Prize laureates through research, experiential learning, and dialogue. 

“We are very excited and thankful to partner with the NCHC, which allows us to connect with a wide range of students and educators who are passionate about making a difference,” said Kjersti Fløgstad, executive director of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. “Together, we can inspire meaningful conversations about peace and foster a spirit of dialogue, collaboration and learning.” 

For Stockton, the designation was sparked by a new Honors seminar titled Partners in Peace, designed to examine the impact of Nobel Peace Prize recipients and translate their work into actionable solutions for local and global challenges. The class is part of a broader effort to integrate peace studies into the university’s honors curriculum. 

“Our affiliation with the Nobel Peace Center is transformative,” said Joshua Duntley, director of Stockton’s Honors College and associate professor of Criminal Justice. “It vaults our ability to offer meaningful, impactful programming that shapes students into informed, engaged global citizens in the global community.” 

 

Being a Partners in Peace institution opens new doors for Stockton students. Each semester, they’ll participate in Nobel Knowledge Cafés — virtual gatherings hosted by the Nobel Peace Center where students from across the globe tackle complex issues related to peace and justice. In one session, Stockton students spoke directly with a former head of the Nobel selection committee. 

Students will also have opportunities to conduct original research related to Nobel Peace Laureates, present their work on an international stage, and even attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in Norway. A service component includes the chance to volunteer at Give Kids the World Village in Florida, a resort for children with critical illnesses and their families. 

Stockton joins an impressive inaugural cohort of universities including California State University, Los Angeles and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. For the NCHC, the partnership is about more than academics, it’s about shaping the future. 

“The NCHC is so honored to be able to work with the Nobel Peace Center and these institutions. This is a monumental program that allows these colleges and universities to offer transformative courses and activities, which should not only change student lives, but also improve the surrounding community,” said Eddie Weller, president of the NCHC. “Using the Nobel Peace Prize winners as a catalyst, these courses and activities will appeal to our better natures as our students put on the mantel of peace for their generation.” 

At its heart, Stockton’s Honors College is built on community. With 250 high-achieving students, the program emphasizes small, discussion-based classes, interdisciplinary learning, and strong faculty mentorship. Students also benefit from a dedicated Honors Center, priority housing, and an Honors Living/Learning Community. 

“The primary benefit of being part of the Honors College is its community of students, faculty and staff,” Duntley said. “Our students report that they find the majority of their friends and strongest support network in the Honors College, and our Honors instructors indicate that it is truly their honor to teach such motivated, engaged students.”