About MIDCM

The Minor in International Development and Conflict Management (MIDCM) is a practical, pre-professional minor program that prepares students with the theoretical frameworks and practical skills necessary to address critical global concerns. Approximately 100 students are enrolled in the program from a variety of academic disciplines, united by their interests in conflict resolution, international development, and humanitarian relief. The program is open to all majors.

The IDCM minor is one of the minor programs offered under the Global Studies umbrella. MIDCM provides access to highly-qualified faculty and practitioners in peacebuilding and development. The program also encourages the pursuit of internship opportunities, and it integrates volunteer and study abroad experiences. The IDCM curriculum, which totals 16 credits, is organized around a set of core and capstone courses, electives, and a practicum experience that involves substantive engagement with the fields of development or conflict management. All students at UMD are encouraged to explore the ways in which the IDCM minor can supplement their own field of study.
Enrollment in MIDCM is by application only. Apply Now! For more information, please email us to MIDCMinfo@umd.edu. 
 

Dr. John McCauley, Director

Dr. McCauley is a Professor in the Department of Government and Politics. His research focuses on the political economy of development and conflict in Africa. He is currently leading US government-funded peace and development initiatives in Ghana and Benin, and he frequently consults on development and security projects around the world. He teaches the gateway course (GVPT354) for the minor. He also works with IDCM students on their academic and career trajectories.

Jacob Lamason, Coordinator

Jacob Lamason is the program coordinator as well as an Academic Advisor for the Government and Politics Department (GVPT). He graduated with a BA in Government and Politics with a concentration in International Relations and History from UMD. Along with academic advising, he handles the administrative and enrollment tasks for the minor.

Dr. Stacy Kosko, International Development Expert

Dr. Kosko is a Professor in the Department of Government and Politics and the Director of UMD’s International Scholars (IS) program. Her research, writing, and teaching focuses on development ethics, human rights, and marginalized populations, and she has extensive experience as a consultant for the World Bank, global charitable foundations, and non-profit human rights organizations around the world. Dr. Kosko teaches the development capstone course (GVPT 356) for the minor.

Michael Hess, Conflict Management Expert

Michael Hess is a principal at M&TCH Consulting and former Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Democracy Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Mike has over 30 years of active and reserve service in the U.S. Military serving in humanitarian operations in Turkey, Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo. He served in both command and staff assignments in the U.S. and Germany and taught European History at the United States Military Academy (USMA). Mike has a bachelor's degree from the USMA at West Point, master's degrees from Columbia University, and New York University, and is a graduate of the National Strategic Studies Program at the U.S. Army War College. He co-teaches the conflict capstone (GVPT 355) for the minor, both at UMD and in Kosovo.

Susan Romanski, Humanitarian Assistance Expert

Susan Romanski brings over 25 years of experience working with a variety of international relief and development organizations. At Mercy Corps, she led teams and initiatives around Humanitarian Capacity, Community Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Emergency Response. As a Team Leader on the Global Emergency Operations (GEO) Unit, Susan responded to humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe, Liberia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Haiti. From 2011 to 2014, Susan served as the Head of Programs for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in South America, where she was responsible for programs supporting refugees, survivors of forced labor and trafficking, and underserved communities in Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. Susan has also worked with the United Nations Development Program, the World Food Program, the International Rescue Committee and the Trickle Up Program throughout Africa and Latin America. She has an M.A. in International Relations and a B.S. in Journalism and Communications.

Paul Hughes, Conflict Management Expert

Paul Hughes was, until retiring in 2022, the special advisor and the director of Overseas Safety and Security at United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Prior to joining USIP, he served as an officer in the US Army. In that capacity, he worked as a senior military fellow to the Institute for National Security Studies of the National Defense University; as a senior staff officer for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance and later with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq; and as deputy director of the Office for Humanitarian Assistance and Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Hughes holds two master’s degrees of military arts and sciences and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colorado State University. His awards include two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, and several campaign and service ribbons. Hughes co-teaches the conflict capstone (GVPT 355) for the minor.

Liza Lebrun, Professional Development Expert

Liza Lebrun teaches the professional development course in the IDCM program. She is also the Assistant Director for Internships and Experiential Learning in the Feller Center for Advising and Career Planning. As an undergraduate student, Liza majored in Foreign Affairs and Latin American Studies and studied abroad in Ecuador, where she also taught English. She holds an M.Ed. in Education from the University of Maryland. She is also a first-generation college student and a first generation American. Her family is from Haiti. Liza teaches with IDCM because she wants to be involved with students and to help emerging leaders reach their goals and find meaningful careers. Please connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lizalebrun.