Winona State University announces the establishment of the Institute for Global Justice and Diplomacy (IGJD), a bold new think tank dedicated to advancing international peace, ethical leadership, and global cooperation.
Rooted in Winona State University’s mission, “a community of learners improving our world,” the Institute reflects the university’s commitment to cultivating leaders, advancing ideas, and fostering partnerships that promote justice, peace, and global understanding. The Institute also reflects Winona State University’s growing commitment to expanding its global engagement and preparing leaders equipped to address the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world.
As the first university-based think tank of its kind within the Minnesota State system, the Institute positions Winona State at the forefront of diplomacy, global engagement, conflict resolution, and ethical leadership, reinforcing the University’s commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected world.
The Institute’s flagship initiative, the Global Diplomacy & Peace Academy (GDPA), has already demonstrated early success. Originally designed for a cohort of 20 participants, the inaugural cohort was expanded to 45 participants in response to strong demand. The Academy brings together distinguished ambassadors, senior government officials, diplomats, and internationally recognized policy experts to prepare emerging leaders for the complex work of diplomacy, conflict resolution, peace building, and global leadership.
“At a time when the world faces increasingly complex geopolitical, humanitarian, and security challenges, the need for principled leadership has never been greater,” said Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Associate Vice President for Equity and Inclusive Excellence and Founding Director, Institute for Global Justice and Diplomacy. “The Institute for Global Justice and Diplomacy was created to prepare leaders who can navigate complexity, build trust across differences, and transform dialogue into meaningful action. Our vision is to serve as a trusted platform where scholarship, policy, and practice converge to strengthen diplomacy, advance peace, and help shape solutions to the challenges that define our time.”
The inaugural Global Diplomacy & Peace Academy launched in December 2025 and concluded with an in-person recognition ceremony in April 2026, celebrating participants who completed the program in diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peace building. The Academy’s inaugural cohort demonstrated exceptional outcomes, underscoring both the quality of the program and the growing demand for applied leadership development in global affairs.
Participant feedback from the inaugural cohort demonstrated the Academy’s impact in advancing knowledge of global diplomacy and international affairs while fostering strong engagement among participants. Evaluations highlighted the value of the instructors’ real-world expertise, broad support for continued program investment and growth, and significant interest in future opportunities for advanced learning, alumni engagement, mentoring, and leadership development through the Institute.
Following the program’s successful launch, applications for the second Global Diplomacy & Peace Academy will open in August 2026, with the next cohort beginning in Spring 2027.
Beyond its flagship programming, the Institute has plans to convene public lectures, international dialogues, professional development opportunities, and policy forums that bring together leaders from academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and civil society. Through these initiatives, the Institute seeks to strengthen dialogue, foster collaboration, and develop practical solutions to today’s most pressing global challenges.
About Winona State University
Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a comprehensive, regional public university with campuses in Winona and Rochester. The oldest member of the Minnesota State system, WSU offers more than 80 undergraduate, pre-professional, licensure, graduate and doctorate programs in five colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing & Health Sciences, and Science & Engineering.
Winona State is ranked 2nd among Minnesota Universities and 22nd across the entire Midwest region (U.S. News and World Report, 2025-26). It has been named among the “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review for 22 consecutive years.
The University generates $447.9 million in economic impact for the region per year. The university’s mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities it serves: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.
