Program Announces New Partnership with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

The University of Baltimore's graduate program in Negotiations and Conflict Management is partnering with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)—a neutral and independent U.S. governmental agency that provides dispute resolution and conflict management services across the public, private, and federal sectors—to offer new educational and research opportunities for UBalt students and faculty and FMCS practitioners.

"The study of alternative dispute resolution is an area of significant growth," says UBalt President Kurt L. Schmoke. "It's a good fit for our program, which offers many career opportunities at the community, state, national and international levels. I'm excited to see UBalt work with the FMCS, and I know we'll soon have outcomes that benefit not only our students, faculty and alumni—but the world around us, too."

Under the new partnership, UBalt faculty and FMCS practitioners will:

• collaborate to advance research and scholarship in alternative dispute resolution and other related areas;
• collaborate in the design and development of educational curricula and training for UBalt courses and FMCS professional development programs;
• serve as guest speakers, facilitators or presenters in UBalt courses and FMCS training and professional development programs;
• engage in short- and long-term exchanges, which will include but are not limited to: planning and attending meetings, symposia, and conferences to facilitate networking and engagement in areas of mutual interest and expertise;
• create and offer internship or experiential learning opportunities for UBalt students and FMCS mediators.

"Not only will this partnership enhance the educational experiences for UBalt students and broaden research opportunities for UBalt faculty, it will also help promote a greater exchange of cutting-edge ideas and application of knowledge between researchers and practitioners in the field of conflict management and related areas," said Yunzi (Rae) Tan, associate professor and director of the M.S. in Negotiations and Conflict Management program. "We are thrilled about the possibilities that this partnership will bring and are looking forward to a productive and engaging partnership with FMCS in the weeks and months ahead."

"FMCS and its conflict resolution specialists have much to contribute to learning and research in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution and conflict management," said Arthur Pearlstein, director of Arbitration and of the Office of Shared Neutrals at FMCS. "Mediator Brady Roberts and I have already begun working with Prof. Tan and the UBalt program, and we are certain that the benefits from our collaboration will flow in both directions: FMCS practitioners will derive great value from her outstanding work and that of her colleagues."

Learn more about UBalt's M.S. in Negotiations and Conflict Management program.

For other academic institutions interested in collaborating with FMCS, visit the agency website.