Nominations for Peace and Human Rights Awards due Jan. 22

KINGSTON, R.I. – Jan. 7, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies and the URI Chaplains Association are currently seeking nominations for the annual Peace and Human Rights Awards.

The Center and the Chaplains Association invite URI community members to submit a potential honoree(s) they feel have significantly contributed to advancing nonviolence, peace or human rights through their respective research, outreach, teaching or provided services. Honorees may be an exceptional student, faculty or staff member.

URI senior Zahra Khan, center, received the 2025 Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies Human Rights Award from professor Skip Mark, executive director of the center and professor of political science, and Meg Frost, director of research for the center and professor of political science. (URI Photos/Catherine Scott)

The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies aims to institutionalize and internationalize nonviolence as a transformative educational process that reduces violence and human suffering and promotes human rights for a beloved global community. The Chaplains Association works to foster dialogue, understanding and respect among people of different faiths and traditions.

URI sophomore Skyla Anderson, center, was awarded last year the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award by Amy Olson, executive director of Hillel and chair of the URI Chaplains Association, and Thupten Tendhar, staff member from the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies.

Any URI campus community member can submit nominations by Thursday, Jan. 22, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award (URI focused) or Human Rights Award (local, national or global impact) to help play crucial roles in celebrating and recognizing the outstanding achievements made by individuals at the University and beyond. Candidates can be nominated through the 2026 event site.

Last year, URI senior Zahra Kahn was awarded the 2025 Human Rights Award, and sophomore Skyla Anderson and Deirdre Morrison, a communication studies faculty member in the URI Harrington School of Communication and Media, each received the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award.

Along with a certificate, winners will also receive a $350 award during the Dr. King Unity Luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 29. The event will be held at the Multicultural Student Services Center, 74 Lower College Road, on the Kingston Campus.

The Chaplains Association will also donate $100 in the recipients’ names to a charity of their choice. Students will receive their monetary awards as a scholarship, faculty as a professional development fund, and staff as additional pay. Student nominees can be undergraduate or graduate and self-nominations are also acceptable.

The URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies organizes educational programs, training workshops, documentary films, and guest lecture series to promote nonviolence, inner peace, well-being, human rights, and a beloved global community. To learn more, visit the center’s website, find NonviolenceURI on social media, or contact the center directly at nonviolence@etal.uri.edu or (401) 874-2875.