Three decades after first stepping onto Notre Dame’s campus, Fatima Shabodien finds herself in a familiar place of transition. As a young South African student in the master’s program for international peace studies (now the Master of Global Affairs at the Keough School of Global Affairs), she navigated the challenges of adjusting to a new environment—learning to use unfamiliar technologies like computers and deciphering the nuances between South African and American English. Today, returning as this year’s alumni visiting fellow, she reflects on how much has changed—and how much still feels the same.

“The Kroc Institute is much bigger now,” she observes. “More complex. And it is much more diverse than it was 30 years ago. It feels like a more vibrant institution.”

This semester, Shabodien’s focus is on reflection. Her time as a master’s student coincided with South Africa’s first democratic elections, a period filled with hope and grand visions for the country’s future. “We started off this new country with dreams of how it was going to unfold, and it hasn’t—at least not exactly as we imagined,” she says. Now, she seeks to examine the role of everyday citizens who organize themselves in efforts to shape democracy. Her research will inform her Ph.D. proposal and contribute to a series of articles aimed at influencing political discourse in South Africa.

Beyond her research, Shabodien finds inspiration in the students at the Kroc Institute. “These are the students being sent out into the world,” she says, “and I think that bodes well for all of us.”

While Shabodien’s work is rooted in reflection, Anselm Nwoke arrived at Notre Dame eager to analyze data he had spent months gathering. As this year’s Kroc-Catholic Relief Services visiting fellow, his research focuses on the persistent violent conflict between farmers and herders in Benue State, located in north-central Nigeria. Despite numerous studies and peace initiatives in the region, meaningful progress remains elusive.

“My goal is to understand why,” Nwoke explains. He approaches the issue with the belief that one-size-fits-all solutions are ineffective, as conflicts often have unique regional dynamics. “When you apply a strategy that worked elsewhere to a different society, it may not necessarily succeed because the contexts are not the same,” he notes.

Throughout his time at the Kroc Institute, Nwoke has deeply appreciated working alongside faculty fellows and staff such as Caesar A. Montevecchio, assistant director of the Catholic Peacebuilding Network; Gerard F. Powers, director of Catholic peacebuilding studies and coordinator of the Catholic Peacebuilding Network; and Rev. Paul V. Kollman, C.S.C., associate professor in the Department of Theology, whose insights and support have enriched his research experience. Their guidance has helped him refine his analysis and approach, further strengthening his ability to contribute meaningful solutions to the complex conflict in Nigeria.

In addition to their individual work, Shabodien and Nwoke have formed a meaningful academic partnership. “Anselm and I have kind of adopted each other,” Shabodien shares. “We have set up study and writing sessions together, and that has helped a lot.” Their collaboration has not only provided motivation but has also fostered their commitment to producing research that makes an impact.

Both scholars, though working on different issues, share a dedication to understanding and shaping pathways toward peace. As they engage with the Kroc Institute’s community, their experiences—past and present—underscore the institute’s role as a hub for critical reflection and action in global peacebuilding.

The Alumni Visiting Research Fellowship is intended for Kroc Institute alumni who have pursued careers as peacebuilding practitioners and who seek time to reflect on and write about their work while in residence at the Institute.

The Kroc-Catholic Relief Services Fellowship allows CRS staff to conduct research in a university setting, while also bringing insights to bear on Kroc’s academic programs. Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community, provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries.

Visiting fellowship applications for the 2026-27 academic year will open this fall. Learn more here.

Originally published by Lisa Gallagher at kroc.nd.edu on March 04, 2025.