Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award
The Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award was established in 2017 to honor the legacy, memory and contributions of our late colleague, Johannes M. Botes, associate professor emeritus in the School of Public and International Affairs.
This annual award recognizes a graduating student from either the Negotiations and Conflict Management program or the Global Affairs and Human Security program who:
- demonstrates academic excellence in the capstone project, the final integrative research project in both programs
- embodies the shared mission and spirit of the programs more broadly.
As sister programs, the Negotiations and Conflict Management program and the Global Affairs and Human Security program share the core goal of preparing students for careers that require functional knowledge grounded in theory, research and practice. Further, both programs equip students with the skills necessary for addressing complex and/or emerging real-world problems that exist at various levels and across different sectors. Though each program has a different focus and operates independently, they share a complementary commitment to public service, social justice, cooperation, sustainability and the promotion of societal welfare.
Both fall and spring graduates may be considered for the award, but the awardee is always announced in the spring at the end of each academic year. The awardee is also recognized at the College of Public Affairs Honors Ceremony, which is typically held in May.
2023-24 Botes Award Winner
Brenda Mworia, M.A. '24, who graduated from the Global Affairs and Human Security program, was selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee as the winner of the 2023-24 Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award. The title of her capstone project was, "The Role of Women in Peace and Conflict Resolution: A Case Study of Sudan."
2023-24 Honorable Mention Awards
Two recent graduates were selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee to receive honorable mention awards:
Ouranitsa Abbas, M.S. '24
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Honorable Mention Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership
Capstone Project Title: "From the C-Suite to Safe Streets: Perceptions on Conflict Coaching from Violence Intervention Practitioners."
Heather Pierce, M.S. '24
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Academic Writing
Capstone Project Title: "Silent Voices, Hidden Lives: Improving the Lives of Afghan Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S."
Past Botes Award Winners
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2022-23
Robin McDonough, M.S. '22
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: "Effectiveness of U.S. Railroad Strategies to Recruit and Retain Women in Operational Roles." -
2021-22
Nafeesat Rabiu-Adebayo, M.A. '21
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Capstone Project Title: "Gendercide: The Prevailing Violence Against Women and Girls in India." -
2020-21
Benjamin Rogers, M.S. '21
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “Community Mediation Online" -
2019-20
Zahraa Al Fili, M.A. ‘19
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Capstone Project Title: “Gastrodiplomacy: A Model For Refugee Integration" -
2018-19
Leonard Spain, M.S. ‘19
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “Understanding Key De-Escalation Resolution Strategies Used by Baltimore City Safe Streets Program Workers” -
2017-18
Blessing Olatimehin, M.S. '18
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “The Cyclical Effects of Challenges in Nation-Building in Somalia” -
2016-17
Bhoja Narayan Shrestha, M.A. ‘17
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Capstone Project Title: “Climate Wars: Real or Imagined? Drought and War in Darfur”