Bluffton University has announced its plans for continuing programs at the Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, which will build on new experiential learning opportunities that connect university students with teaching peace starting in fall 2022.

An advisory committee met in fall 2021 to learn about the Lion and Lamb’s important work and make recommendations about the next steps for the center.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, an emphasis will be placed on training and providing Bluffton University students the opportunity to lead sessions with school children on cultural understanding and conflict resolution.

The Lion and Lamb will be connected to Bluffton’s education department through Dr. Paul Neufeld Weaver, professor of education and director of global education. Weaver will serve as director of Lion and Lamb and work with a graduate assistant, who will do much of the direct work with Bluffton University students.

“The Lion and Lamb work is deeply embedded in and reflective of Bluffton’s mission and is an extremely important part of carrying out who we are,” said Dr. Lamar Nisly, vice president and dean of academic affairs. “In this next phase of our work, we are going to particularly focus on how we can empower Bluffton University students to become directly involved in the Lion and Lamb’s mission-central work.”

In addition to work on peace and cultural understanding, trainings will also cover peer mediation, including connections to social media usage and cyberbullying.

The director and graduate assistant will actively recruit Bluffton University students broadly interested in peace education, and a student club with training and leadership development components will prepare Bluffton University students to work in elementary school classrooms.

The Lion and Lamb will also offer internships for academic credit for Bluffton University students from a variety of majors who are interested in carrying forward peace education. The listing for the graduate assistant position can be found at www.bluffton.edu/employment.

Questions and feedback can be sent to Nisly at [email protected]