Degree Celebration

Carol Daniel- Kasbari, Ph.D. 

Senior Associate Director, Conflict Resolution Program, The Carter Center

Carol Daniel Kasbari, Ph.D., is an accomplished scholar-practitioner, visionary leader, and interdisciplinary social scientist with over 25 years of experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and international development. Born and raised in Nazareth, she spent much of her career in Jerusalem, where she earned three degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, refining her expertise in conflict management and international development.

Currently serving as the Senior Associate Director of the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center, Carol specializes in conflict-affected environments, stabilization, and community-driven development programming. With over two decades of experience, she has designed and directed programs in conflict analysis, mitigation, advocacy, and nonviolent resistance, primarily focusing on complex international settings. She leads multimillion-dollar initiatives to promote dialogue, resolve conflicts, and build sustainable peace in regions such as Israel-Palestine, Sudan, Mali, and Syria.

Carol has held senior leadership roles at organizations such as UNESCO, Catholic Relief Services, and Search for Common Ground, managing USAID, UN, and EU-funded projects focused on conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, and equal rights advocacy. As a Nonresident Scholar with the Middle East Institute, she regularly publishes policy briefs and briefing papers on Palestine and broader Middle Eastern conflicts, shaping global discourse on conflict resolution and social transformation.

A recipient of numerous awards, Carol’s groundbreaking doctoral research on “everyday resistance and its impact on power relations” earned her the 2020 Best Dissertation Award from the Peace and Justice Studies Association. She also received the prestigious American Association of University Women Ph.D. Award, the John Burton Award for academic excellence, and the James H. Laue Scholarship for her contributions to conflict resolution. Her published work has appeared in The Journal of Political Power, Peace and Change Journal, and leading media outlets such as The Washington Post and The Hill.

A TEDx speaker and inspiring facilitator, Carol has participated in second-track diplomacy efforts between Palestinians and Israelis and led hundreds of mediation sessions across diverse political contexts, including Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, Turkey, Cyprus, and Bosnia. Fluent in English, Arabic, French, and Hebrew, she engages diverse stakeholders—from grassroots communities to global policymakers—with her insights on peacebuilding, resilience, and nonviolent change.

Carol earned her Ph.D. from George Mason University’s Carter School for Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, where she continues to mentor current and future leaders. Her humility, resilience, and unwavering dedication to fostering justice and sustainable peace make her a transformative force in international development and conflict resolution.

Important Information below about Commencement and Degree Celebrations 

Ticket registration email with the subject "Commencement Tickets Available" will be sent to the George Mason email of all bachelor’s and master’s graduates on March 17.  Check your spam folder if you do not see it. 

Email gmuevent@gmu.edu if you did not receive the email.

Tickets are required to attend the Degree Celebration. Tickets for College Degree Celebrations will be available starting Monday, March 3.  The deadline to claim tickets is March 28th.  If tickets are still available, a second opportunity to register for additional tickets will be announced on April 3rd. Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves but are required to present their individual GRAD Pass, obtained through Tassel, for each ceremony they attend. Please only claim the number of tickets that are necessary for your guests.  Any guests 2 years old and above will need a ticket. 

All graduates and patrons entering the Center for the Arts will be required to pass through a security gate. Bags and persons may be subject to search by event security. Please limit the items brought into the venue to help us ensure a smooth process and avoid delays. 

If you plan to wear a face covering while attending the degree celebration, please be prepared to produce photo identification. For more information, see here.

Please note that noisemakers, balloons, and certain signs are among the items prohibited in the Center for the Arts. For a complete list of prohibited items, see here."

Purchase or Rent Regalia online 

Purchase or Rent Regalia in-person at the bookstore 

Regalia Deadlines:

Doctoral —Last day to order if purchasing regalia: March 28

Last day to order rental regalia online: April 9 

Bachelors/Masters—Last day to order online: April 18

After that date, purchases available in person at the University Bookstore while supplies last.

Faculty—Last day to order regalia: April 18