She holds a Ph.D. from the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University and a Masters in international development from the University of California. Most recently, she lead two research projects for USAID on preventing violent extremism in Africa. Prior to NSU, she spent five years at the United States Institute of Peace in the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, where she designed and led dialogues and training in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Colombia, Nigeria, and elsewhere and wrote policy-oriented publications on a variety of topics related to international peacebuilding. Dr. Schwoebel brings 30 years of experience in the fields of peacebuilding, governance, humanitarian assistance, and development, and has worked for UN agencies, USAID, Peace Corps, and non-governmental organizations.