Al Fuertes, Ph.D., is a Professor and Kindness Ambassador at George Mason University. His fields of specialization are: facilitation and dialogue, global education, psychosocial trauma healing, conflict resolution/ transformation, theology of struggle, spirituality, displacement issues, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. Al teaches courses in Human Trafficking, Refugee and Internal Displacement, Psychosocial Trauma and Healing, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Divided Communities, Conflict Resolution/Transformation, Spirituality, and Immigration Issues in Northern Virginia, among other courses. He is a field practitioner and international consultant who specializes in psychosocial trauma healing as an integral component in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Al travels extensively around the world, particularly in places affected by war, armed conflict, and natural disasters. He works with government, religious, military, and community leaders, as well as NGO development workers, school administrators, teachers, youth, refugees, and internally displaced persons.
Al was a recipient of the 2020 Inspiration Award by the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF), in recognition of his contributions and service to the community, the 2019 Global Peacebuilder Award by the Daniel Fissell Music Foundation, the 2019 Outstanding Sillimanian Award in the Philippines, and the Alumni Recognition (2019) for his work in Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation by the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana. He also received the 2015 Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, 2014 Oscar Mentoring Excellence Award, the 2008 GMU Teaching Excellence Award and the 2001 AT&T Asia-Pacific Leadership Award. Al obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Divinity School at Silliman University, a Master of Arts degree in Peace Studies from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. His peer-reviewed article “Students in Higher Education Explore the Practice of Gratitude as Spirituality and Its Impact on Well-Being” has been published by the academic journal Religions. Learn more about Al’s research.