Staff

PETER T. COLEMAN, Ph.D.
ICCCR Director; Associate Professor
Dr. Peter T. Coleman holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Social/Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA in Communications from The University of Iowa. He is currently Associate Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and teaches courses in Conflict Resolution, Social Psychology, and Social Science Research. Dr. Coleman is Director of the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (ICCCR) at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has conducted research on social entitivity processes (ingroup/outgroup formation), the mediation of inter-ethnic conflict, intractable conflict, complexity, and on the conditions and processes which foster the constructive use of social power. In 2003, he became the first recipient of the Early Career Award from the American Psychological Association, Division 48: Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence. Dr. Coleman co-edited The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (2000; 2nd edition in press), and has also authored over forty journal articles and chapters. Click here to download Peter Coleman's CV

BETH FISHER-YOSHIDA, Ph.D., C.C.S.
ICCCR Associate Director; Lecturer
Dr. Beth Fisher-Yoshida received her Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems and M.A. in Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. She graduated with honors when she received her M.A. in special education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also received both a B.A. and a B.S. from Buffalo State College. Dr. Fisher-Yoshida is a Certified Clinical Sociologist (C.C.S.). Dr. Fisher-Yoshida conducts research in the areas of conflict and conflict resolution with a focus on intercultural communication, transformative learning and Coordinated Management of Meaning ( CMM). Dr. Fisher-Yoshida has more than 20 years experience in working with people in organizations. Her areas of specialization include working with client organizations in supporting their change efforts through addressing: conflict resolution, diversity, communication, team building, performance management systems and leadership development. She has been very active in professional organizations holding many leadership positions. She is currently engaged in the participatory action research ( PAR) activities of the ICCCR. Dr. Fisher-Yoshida continues to publish journal articles, chapters in edited volumes and is currently engaged in book writing projects.

MEKAYLA CASTRO
Education Coordinator; Doctoral Candidate
Before joining the ICCCR in September 2006, Mekayla’s primary work experience has been in the area of research. She worked on two projects while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Rhode Island College. The first, in which she acted as coordinator, investigated the impact of intragroup status variation on perception and judgment.  The second project, which she presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 2005 conference in the form of a poster presentation, looked at the mediating role of coping strategies on the relationship between aggressive-type personality and blood pressure. During that same period, she also assisted with several research projects at the Childhood Asthma Research Program. 
In the fall of 2005, after obtaining her B.A. in Psychology, she entered the Social-Organizational Psychology doctoral program at Teachers College, Columbia University.  In the summer of 2006, Mekayla worked as a graduate assistant for the Summer Principals Academy, where she assisted on the development of a team building and organizational behavior course, and facilitated an experiential course in conflict resolution.  She is currently working towards earning the Conflict Resolution Certificate of Attendance at TC, and has conducted or plans to conduct research in her primary fields of interest- social justice, diversity, conflict and conflict resolution.      

INES ARICETA, M.A.
Practice Coordinator
Ines Ariceta received her M. A. in Social and Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and her Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Community Mediation from the International Center for Cooperation & Conflict Resolution (ICCCR) at Teachers College. Ines is a Certified Mediator by the State of New York and she collaborates with the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution in the Bronx. Her role at ICCCR as Practice Coordinator is to provide locally informed and tailored conflict resolution and justice related services to external groups and institutions that specialize in developing new leaders and serving marginalized populations. Prior to coming to New York, Ines earned her B.A. in Psychology at Deusto University, Bilbao and also studied for one year in St. Andrews University, Scotland. She also got her training in Systemic Intervention from the Basque School of Family Therapy while working for The European Leonardo Grant on a Distance Learning Project. Originally, she comes from Donostia ( San Sebastian) in the Basque Region of Spain. She has held positions and volunteered in local schools, NGOs and community based organizations always fighting for social justice and change. Ines is fluent in Basque, English, and Spanish and has conversational knowledge in French.

NAIRA MUSALLAM, M.A.
Research Coordinator
Naira Musallam received her B.A. in Psychology and Journalism from Tel Aviv University in 2000. She has held various positions in Israel/Palestine including working with the Adler Research Center for Child Welfare and Protection, where she conducted research assessing the psychological impact of ethnopolitical conflict on various sects of the Palestinian and Israeli populations, has worked with the Mar Elias Educational Institutions dedicated to building peace through education, and has worked with Amnesty International. She was awarded by the U.S. Department the Israeli-Arab Scholarship to earn her Master’s degree in the United States. Ms. Musallam has completed her M.A. in Psychology and Education with a concentration in Conflict Resolution at Teachers College, Columbia University. Ms. Musallam served as the Vice President of the Educational Society for Middle East and North Africa at Columbia University and has interned with the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

KATHRYN CRAWFORD, M.A.
Project Coordinator/ Conflict Questionniare Coordinator
Kathryn Crawford earned her M.A. in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on Peace Education and Conflict Resolution. She graduated with honors from the B.F.A. program at the School of Visual Arts in  New York City having majored in Interactive Multimedia Computer Art with emphasis on Information Architecture and Art Education. Ms. Crawford has developed websites for small local organizations, worked with the New York City public school system to integrate education and technology and taught fifth and sixth grade students in Asociacion Tepeyac's East Harlem after-school program. Currently at the ICCCR, Ms. Crawford serves as the Coordinator for the Dynamical Systems Computer Simulation Project, in addition to developing and implementing new computer technologies for the Center. Apart from the ICCCR, Ms. Crawford is an ESL teacher of Latina/Latino parents in the after-school program, Nuestra Herencia. Her future plans include working to enhance the education of Mexican communities throughout the United States and Mexico.  

Pari Deshpande
Work-Study