You may not think of Baltimore as drastically different from Philadelphia, but when Ryan Eilerman, a native of the “Charm City,” was considering where to advance his education, Arcadia University seemed like the perfect contrast to what he was used to.

“I chose Arcadia primarily because I wanted to move to Philadelphia,” Eilerman said. “I wanted to go to Arcadia to diversify my education from what has often been elitist and entitled settings.”

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Eilerman is pursuing a master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). Arcadia’s IPCR program offers an innovative, cohort-based curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. Over four semesters, students establish their expertise as a conflict resolution practitioner and build critical, professional networks and collaborative spaces around the world.

“I wanted to be able to critically study and dive into peace studies in a sincere and generous academic environment that would challenge the structures and perspectives that have typically saturated my previous education,” Eilerman added. “I saw Arcadia as a reprieve from power politics and an opportunity to have the space to think and learn creatively and collaboratively.

“In IPCR, I get impassioned by each new class I take. Over the course of the next year, I look forward to honing these passions and skills toward a coordinated direction. After finishing the program, I will undoubtedly embark on a diverse and opportunistic career within these fields.”

When he’s not hitting the books, Eilerman enjoys exploring the food and beverage scenes in new cities, home-building with his partner, skiing, and sailing.