Columbia College is honored to join the inaugural Partners in Peace cohort, an initiative launched by the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center. This program recognizes NCHC member institutions for their efforts in creating, implementing, and assessing honors-level curricular and co-curricular projects that highlight the work of Alfred Nobel and Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to individuals and organizations that advance peace, as outlined in Alfred Nobel’s will. These efforts include fostering fraternity among nations, reducing standing armies, and promoting peace congresses. The Partners in Peace initiative encourages college students to explore the lives and achievements of peace laureates, fostering understanding of the leadership strategies needed to build peaceful communities. Beyond studying these figures, students are challenged to “think globally, act locally” by applying insights from laureates to positively impact their campuses and communities.
“We are beyond proud that our nationally acclaimed Honors Program—particularly a student-led project addressing health disparities in the 29203 zip code—has received this prestigious recognition,” said Dr. John H. Dozier, President of Columbia College. “Our institution has long recognized the profound impact and essential value of the work our students contribute to the local community. Being acknowledged by esteemed organizations such as the Nobel Peace Center and the National Collegiate Honors Council, and being one of only 16 colleges in the nation to be recognized with this honor, underscores the significance of their efforts, and we consider this honor a remarkable milestone.”
The NCHC’s International Education Committee, the originator of the Partners in Peace initiative, proudly recognizes Columbia College as part of the 2024-2025 inaugural cohort. Dr. Marlee Marsh, Director of the Dr. John Zubizarreta Honors Program and Professor of Biology at Columbia College, received symbolic recognition of the institution’s commitment to
establish a curricular or cocurricular project during the 59th Annual NCHC Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, November 1. Jørgen Frydnes, chair and youngest member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, participated in the awards ceremony.
Dr. Eddie Weller, President of the NCHC, commented: “NCHC is deeply honored to collaborate with the Nobel Peace Center and these institutions. This monumental program enables colleges and universities to offer transformative courses and activities that impact not only student lives but also their surrounding communities. By drawing inspiration from Nobel Peace Prize laureates, these projects encourage our students to embrace peace and act as change-makers for their generation. Can there be a higher calling than peace? I think not.”
For more information about Partners in Peace and this collaborative effort, visit the National Collegiate Honors Council website or contact Dr. Kevin W. Dean, Coordinator – Partners in Peace, at kdean@nchchonors.org.
and knowledge necessary to thrive in modern agriculture.
Dr. Joe Mari Maja, the principal investigator, senior researcher and director of the Center of Applied Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture, will lead the project. Dr. Maja brings extensive expertise in applying advanced technologies to improve agricultural practices, particularly for small and underserved farmers.
The project aims to foster equitable access to agricultural resources for underserved communities, including military veterans transitioning to farming. Through this funding, Dr. Maja and his team will provide access to cutting-edge agricultural technologies such as AI, robotics, and drones and offer mentorship and technical assistance tailored to the specific challenges faced by small-scale
and veteran farmers.
“Starting or taking over a farm requires not just courage but access to the right resources,” said Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small in the USDA’s announcement. “This investment ensures that underserved and veteran farmers can build successful operations with the help of local experts and partnerships.” The USDA’s initiative is aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to create resilient food systems and promote sustainable agriculture.
“This award aligns with the center’s mission of providing our farmers access to innovative solutions that promote sustainability, efficiency and growth in their operations,” said Dr. Louis Whitesides, vice president of SC State PSA. “We look forward to Dr.
Maja and his team’s efforts to equip our farmers with the tools and training they need to thrive in the modern agricultural landscape.”
SC State’s AOTI will target key counties in South Carolina, such as Orangeburg, Bamberg, Clarendon and areas near military bases like Shaw Air Force Base and Fort Jackson, providing handson training and workshops. The initiative is designed to increase participation in USDA programs, reduce operational costs for small farms, and improve their long-term sustainability.
For more information on the AgriTech Outreach and Training Initiative or the Center of Applied Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture, contact Dr. Joe Maja, at jmaja@scsu.edu or 803-536-7134.
