Dear HJI Alumni and Friends of HJI, Thank you for your continued support, friendship and encouragement as we—our faculty and staff—continue to strive to honor the legacy and  build toward the future of this great institution, celebrating the 50th anniversary since welcoming its first class of students in 1975.  We are continually inspired by the students who, year after year, come to study at HJI. They continue to be students of high caliber who carry forward HJI’s great tradition of academic excellence, commitment to the wider community, to ministry and to public...

What inspired you to apply to HJI and your program? What do you most appreciate about being a student at HJI? As a teacher at a premier public high school for over 25 years, I knew I wanted to do something special and different for the rest of my life. Memories of my many years in children’s and youth ministry are joy-filled and deeply satisfying. I held onto a sense of doing something like that again: diving into something that concerned communicating God’s love, wisdom, history and grace.  Once I jumped into a master’s level class in the Fall of 2021, my expectations were surpassed...

On January 24-26, 2025 HJI convened its 2nd International Conference on Peace and Public Leadership, with a focus on the theme of “New Directions in Unificationism: A Time for Consideration.” In addition to several HJI faculty members and students, the participants included Dr. Eileen Barker, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics; Dr. Peter Akerback, University of Stockholm; Dr. Holly Folk, Western Washington University; Mr. Daniel Fromson, an editor and writer for the New York Times; Rev. Dr. Willie Weston, an ACLC Pastor; and Dr. Minyoung Moon, a Lecturer...

The HJI 2024 Annual Report highlights many of the exciting programs and key developments from the past year. Click on the link below to discover how HJI is making an impact. We appreciate your interest and support in our ongoing work. Read the 2024 Annual Report

Staff and faculty had a joyful and meaningful time connecting with one another on campus during a holiday luncheon, held on December 19. Steven Boyd, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life, gave warm welcoming remarks. An invocation was given by Dr. Thomas Ward, Professor of Peace and Development. After singing a holiday song, a reading on the birth of Jesus was followed by comments and sharing of various religious perspectives from faculty members, Dr. Andrew Wilson, Professor of Scriptural Studies, Dr. Michael Mickler, Distinguished Professor of Historical Studies, Dr. Jacob David,...

On November 21, a Faculty Roundtable featured Dr. Theodore Shimmyo, HJI President Emeritus and Adjunct Professor of Theology, entitled “Unification Theology and the Christian Tradition.” The event was hosted by Dr. Thomas Walsh, President. Steven Boyd, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Life, gave welcoming and closing remarks.  Dr. Shimmyo has done extensive research on theological teachings that are essential to not only Unificationism but to the wider Christian tradition as well; for example, the Doctrine of God, the Trinity, the Fall, Christology, Salvation, Providential...

On October 29, a Faculty Roundtable was held with Dr. Ronald Brown, Adjunct Professor in World Religions, entitled “The Religions of South Africa: Chosen People and Promised Lands.” The event was hosted by Dr. Thomas Walsh, President. Mika Deshotel, Associate Dean of Student Life, gave welcoming and closing remarks.  Dr. Brown lived for extended periods of time in various countries around the world, and experienced most world religions firsthand. As recently as July and August of 2024, he spent time in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Dr. Brown shared his expertise on the religious...

What inspired you to apply to HJI and your program? What do you most appreciate about being a student at HJI? I was inspired to apply and attend HJI after seeing several people in my network graduate from HJI and the Peace Studies program. I was impressed with the level of professionalism and awareness of these graduates. They went on to take leadership roles in non-profit organizations. I wanted to elevate my own leadership in the world. I most appreciate the culture of learning and the desire to pursue personal development and growth at HJI. Share about the benefits of your online learning...