Professor of Peace and Development ward@hji.edu Thomas Ward served eighteen years as Dean and Vice President at the University of Bridgeport: President & CEO (2019–2022) and then Provost & Chief Academic Officer (2022–2024) at HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership in Manhattan and currently serve as Professor of Peace and Development. Earlier career highlights include conducting high level seminars on comparative political systems for government and civil society representatives across Latin America, Europe, the United States; and Asia as well as...

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Research Methods and Analysis in the Social Sciences Frederick A. Swarts, Ph.D., has had a distinguished career in academic, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. In academia, Dr. Swarts taught graduate courses in Research Methods, Sustainable Development, and Thesis at the University of Bridgeport, as well as Biology at Lackawanna College. He currently serves as Academic Dean at Bridgeport International Academy and Life Sciences Editor for New World Encyclopedia. In the governmental sector, Dr. Swarts served from 2010 to 2021 as a board member on the U.S....

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry Education D.Min., New York Theological Seminary Publications Courses Honors / Awards / Memberships

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Peace Studies Dr. Katarina Connery is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Peace Studies at HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership. Dr. Connery holds a bachelor’s degree in International Political Economy and Diplomacy from the University of Bridgeport and a master’s degree in International Development, with a focus on Human Security, from the University of Pittsburgh. During her graduate studies, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Asian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies Center. Dr. Connery obtained...

Adjunct Instructor of Pastoral Ministry Dr. Mika Deshotel is an Adjunct Instructor of Pastoral Ministry at HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership. Dr. Deshotel obtained her Doctoral of Ministry (D.Min.) at HJI, in 2025. Prior to Adjunct Instructor, she served as Associate Dean for Student Life at HJI. Education D.Min., HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership Publications Courses MIN 5102 Worship and Liturgy Honors / Awards / Memberships

Adjunct Assistant Professor Dr. Franco Famularo is President of Universal Peace Federation in Canada and serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership.  He has served Family Federation in multiple roles as Pastor, Educator and Administrator. He is the Canadian representative of the International Sunhak Institute of History and also has over 25 years of business experience.  He is an author with interests in religious history, interfaith dialogue and peace activism and served in various roles for over 50 years with UPF and...

Adjunct Professor of Asian Religion Dr. Thomas Selover is former President and Associate Professor of SunHak UP Graduate University in South Korea. He is currently serving as President of Professors World Peace Academy International, and as a member of the National Educational Advisory Team (NEAT) of FFWPU-USA.  Dr. Selover has taught at universities and colleges in the U.S., Canada, China and South Korea, including as Associate Professor and Department Head of Religious Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. His courses have ranged from World Religions and Methodology in the...

Rev. Demian Dunkley formerly served as the President of Family Federation in the United States of America, during which time he worked closely with the American Clergy Leadership Conference as the executive producer of the popular Peace Starts With Me Rallies, filling stadiums across America and hosting online rallies with hundreds of thousands in attendance. In October, 2020, Rev. Dunkley was appointed as the Family Federation Regional President of Asia Pacific 1, which includes 20 nations, and is home to 3.7 billion people. After completing three years in that position, he was asked by...