Over the break between the January and February blocks, Professor Vicki Alexander Herriott took a team of MIU’s Fairfield undergraduates to the University of Central Florida in Orlando to compete in the 2025-26 International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament, held February 7–9 and hosted by the International Association for Dispute Resolution (INADR).

Pictured above: Professor Vicki Alexander Herriott, Kozbie Lamb, Polo Altynksky-Ross, and Caresse Rodriguez.

The tournament is open to law, graduate, and undergraduate students worldwide. 

MIU’s team consisted of undergraduate students Polo Altynski-Ross, Kozbie Lamb, and Caresse Rodriguez. They competed against 18 other three-person teams from the USA and Singapore over four rounds spanning two days. MIU’s team was the smallest school in the tournament.

Students played the roles of mediators and disputants in cases drawn from real life. Their performances were evaluated by experienced mediators who observed the 90-minute mediation sessions.

MIU came away with two awards:

Professor Alexander Herriott receives INADR’s Coach of the Year award

Scott Herriott, MIU’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, with Professor Vicki Alexander Herriott and her INADR Coach of the Year award.

In the awards ceremony, Professor Alexander Herriott was given the INADR’s Coach of the Year award in recognition of her service to INADR through the Midwest regional mediation tournaments that she has hosted at MIU and her teaching of the course MGT 484 Mediation and Negotiation over the past 18 years.

“I’m very proud of our team,” Professor Herriott said. “We were one of only four schools that made the semifinals in both categories. This meant that all three team members were very strong as mediators and as advocate-clients. They were all very well prepared and very professional. They were calm, friendly, willing to think outside the box to solve the problem — ideal examples of Consciousness-Based Education.”

“An incredibly meaningful experience”

“Participating in the mediation tournament was an incredibly meaningful experience,” said Kozbie Lamb. “It deepened my understanding of conscious communication and reminded me how powerful empathy and presence can be in resolving conflict. I’m grateful to represent MIU in a space that reflects the principles we study every day.”

“We’d recommend this experience to all future MIU students. And anyone else, for that matter — conflict resolution strategies are important for everyone.”

— Polo Altynski-Ross

“It was a pleasure to represent MIU and compete against the other schools at the tournament,” Polo Altynski-Ross said. “Since roughly 90–95% of civil cases are resolved before trial — often through mediation! — it’s a powerful way to settle disputes amicably. It can be nerve-racking to be judged by veteran professionals in the field, but they were very encouraging, and we’d recommend this experience to all future MIU students. And anyone else, for that matter — conflict resolution strategies are important for everyone.”

In the heat of the competition. At right: Kozbie Lamb and Polo Altynski-Ross

How a mediation tournament works

At the INADR mediation tournament, student teams participate in simulated dispute‑resolution sessions designed to mirror real‑world mediation practice. Competitors rotate through different roles — mediator, advocate, and client — allowing each participant to experience mediation from multiple perspectives. The event typically includes three preliminary rounds, followed by semi‑final and championship rounds for the highest‑scoring teams.

Mediation rounds are structured to emphasize professionalism, collaboration, and problem‑solving. Students acting as mediators often work with co-mediators from different schools, encouraging cooperation across institutional lines. Judges evaluate them on skills such as listening, clarity, neutrality, teamwork, and their ability to guide parties toward mutually acceptable solutions without being adversarial or inventing facts. 

The focus throughout is on educational growth, ethical practice, and the cultivation of real mediation skills rather than winning at any cost.

When serving as advocates or clients, students present their side of a dispute, communicate interests (not just positions), and work with mediators to explore resolutions. Judges score participants individually and in teams, awarding distinctions for mediator performance, advocate/client pairs, and overall team achievement. The focus throughout is on educational growth, ethical practice, and the cultivation of real mediation skills rather than winning at any cost.

Last June, Fairfield was named one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2025 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), an organization dedicated to helping communities around the world build prosperous, inclusive, innovation‑driven local economies by using digital technology to deepen social connection and cultural vitality.

Pictured above: Nahom Abegaze, Bob Ferguson, Margaret Dwyer, and Seth Miller — the team representing Faifield at the ICF Global Summit

Last December, MIU’s Nahom Abegaze was part of the team representing Fairfield at the ICF Global Summit 2025 in Binh Duong, Vietnam — where one community from those Top 7 was selected as 2025’s most intelligent community.

Abegaze is MIU’s Director of Continuous Improvement, working in the Operational Excellence department.

Joining Fairfield in the Top 7 communities were:

These seven cities were the finalists in a long process. Each year, the ICF invites cities around the world to submit nominations. They welcome communities of any size — small, midsize, and large. From this pool — as many as 400 cities — they choose 21 semifinalist cities.

And from those 21, they chose the “Top 7 Intelligent Communities.” This was the result of a year-long process of evaluating how communities leverage the six ICF indicators — connectivity, workforce development, innovation, digital inclusion, sustainability, and community engagement — to create long-term vitality.

Notably, Fairfield was the smallest community selected, standing out among cities with populations in the millions.

Last September, as part of selecting a winner, ICF sent a representative to visit and audit each city in person.

At the ICF Global Summit

The ICF Summit in Vietnam, held December 2–3, brought together communities that are advancing innovation, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusive growth, creating space to share learning, forge partnerships, and benchmark progress. More than 600 urban leaders, technology experts, and investors gathered to discuss smart, sustainable, innovation‑driven community development.

During the Summit, each Top 7 city gave a 15‑minute presentation showcasing its intelligent community achievements, including how they have applied the Community Accelerator Strategy.

Fairfield sent four representatives altogether. Along with Abegaze, they included Bob Ferguson, Fairfield City Councilor At-Large; Margaret Dwyer, a longtime community leader and Executive Committee member of the Sierra Club’s Iowa Chapter; and Seth Miller, President of Advocacy & Administration at Cambridge Investment Research.

The top city was selected through jury voting by international experts. And at the closing ceremony, Canada’s Durham Region was officially named Intelligent Community of the Year, succeeding last year’s winner, Curitiba, Brazil. 

Last three on the right: Nahom Abegaze, Margaret Dwyer, and Seth Miller.

Recognition for MIU

“We may not have come up with the top award,” Abegaze said, “but this was tremendous recognition for Fairfield and MIU. Just making the Top 7 was an amazing achievement.”

“The experience exceeded our expectations,” Abegaze said. “We were blown away by how thoughtfully and thoroughly we were hosted — no detail was missed. It was also inspiring to be among the other Top 7 communities and see the innovative work happening around the world.”

The team hhighlighted MIU as Fairfield’s primary educational institution and a key economic driver, supporting Fairfield’s economic stability, workforce development, and long-term vision. “People saw that MIU’s people, programs, and daily operations are part of what makes Fairfield globally competitive,” Abegaze said.

“What stood out most was the rigor of the evaluation,” he said. “Fairfield was assessed alongside cities of three to four million people using technical, data-driven standards — not just narrative or perception. The judges didn’t stop at the data. One came to Fairfield, walked the city, met with leaders and local organizations, and spoke with residents to confirm that the lived experience matched the numbers.”

Just the beginning

Abegaze found being recognized in this way to be both affirming and motivating.

“It’s meaningful to be acknowledged for what Fairfield has already accomplished, and it’s equally energizing to see this as a beginning, not an endpoint,” he said. “There is so much opportunity ahead to continue improving the quality of life in Fairfield, and this recognition encourages us to aim even higher.”

This recognition is more than a “pat on the back,” he said. “It’s an invitation — to stay engaged, to collaborate, and to recognize the collective impact of the work happening every day at MIU.”

Back left: Bob Ferguson and Nahom Abegaze. Back right: Seth Miller. Front right, second person in: Marg Dwyer. Also in the photo: representatives from other Top 7 communities and ICF officials.

Additional reporting by Nahom Abegaze and Samantha Vento.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and come share a meal with purpose at Maharishi School’s annual Empty Bowls event.

Since 2015, Maharishi School students have welcomed the community to this heartfelt fundraiser dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity. What began as a student-led initiative has grown into a meaningful tradition that blends creativity, education, and service.

Why Empty Bowls matters

Food insecurity remains a serious issue both locally and across Iowa. In our state alone, 385,130 people — including 120,220 children — face uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. The annual meal gap in Iowa is nearly 73 million meals, and more than $248 million in additional funding would be needed to fully meet those needs.

Closer to home in Jefferson County:

These aren’t just statistics — they represent neighbors, classmates, and families in our own community.

Students leading with purpose

Master Potter Mark Wilkins coaching Maharishi School students in the ancient art of creating ceramic bowls.

This year’s event brings together students across grade levels in a powerful act of collaboration and service.

High school students have been crafting one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls under the guidance of Master Potter Mark Wilkins, pouring creativity and intention into each piece.

Meanwhile, 8th-grade students are helping lead event planning, designing posters, and creating educational infographics about food insecurity in Jefferson County.

The project reflects three of Maharishi School’s core values in action:

Students are not only learning about global and local challenges — they are stepping up to be part of the solution.

A simple meal, a lasting impact

For a $25 donation, guests will receive:

Each bowl serves as a reminder that while many face empty bowls each day, together we can help fill them.

We are deeply grateful to our local partners who support this effort:

All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit a local hunger-relief organization or Action Against Hunger.

Event details

Sunday, March 15
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Maharishi School Student Center Kitchen
804 Dr. Robert Keith Drive, Fairfield.

Guests are asked to RSVP in advance – click here.

Join us for a nourishing meal, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference. We hope to see you there.

handmade bowl with soup and bread

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Rhian Tomassetti is the MIU News Editor for Maharishi School.

MIU Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Romel Bryant as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for Pioneer basketball.

Coach Bryant joins MIU with a reputation as one of the most dynamic and transformational leaders in the game, bringing championship success and historic program turnarounds across the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. His appointment marks a significant step forward for MIU Athletics as the university continues to strengthen its competitive presence and invest in long-term program growth.

Coach Bryant is enthusiastic about the opportunity he sees at MIU.

“MIU offers the ideal environment to rapidly build a disciplined, competitive basketball program aligned with its mission of whole-person development,” he said.

“MIU offers the ideal environment to rapidly build a disciplined, competitive basketball program aligned with its mission of whole-person development.”

— Romel Bryant

“I’m also very excited about MIU’s Consciousness-Based approach, because it aligns perfectly with my vision of developing high-character athletes who are focused, resilient, and intentional in everything they do,” Bryant said. “By strengthening the mind alongside physical training, we’re creating players who perform at a higher level and carry those habits into life well beyond basketball.”

Most recently, Bryant led John Melvin University through the most successful season in school history during the 2024–2025 campaign. Under his leadership, the program captured its first conference win ever, achieved the highest winning percentage in school history, and rose to a No. 2 national power ranking, peaking at No. 4 nationally. The season was highlighted by a NSAC Tip-Off Classic Championship and produced more wins in one year than all previous head coaches combined.

At Olive-Harvey College, he helped guide the program to an undefeated conference season, a conference championship, and a regional championship appearance. At the professional level, he led the Chicago Ballers to a PBL Divisional Championship in 2022, further demonstrating his ability to succeed at the highest levels of competition.

Recognized for excellence on and off the court, Coach Bryant was named Illinois Basketball Coaching Association Coach of the Year in 2021, an honor reflecting both his competitive success and his impact on player development.

At the high school level, Bryant is widely known as a program-builder and culture-changer. He holds the all-time wins and winning percentage records at Epic Academy, and engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Chicago basketball history at Horizon Science Academy, transforming a winless program into Conference Champions within two seasons, while also capturing a City Championship. His resume also includes multiple regional, sectional, and super-sectional titles at Seton Academy, culminating in a state finals appearance.

A relentless developer of talent, Bryant has coached two All-Americans, five All-Regional athletes, and multiple players who have gone on to play professional basketball worldwide. His coaching philosophy centers on accountability, toughness, and preparing student-athletes for success far beyond the game.

With Coach Bryant, MIU men’s basketball is focused on building a strong foundation, recruiting student-athletes who align with the university’s values, and establishing a competitive identity moving forward.

We’ll share more announcements regarding recruiting, camps, and program updates in the coming months.

Stay connected

Want to stay up to date with the MIU Pioneers Men’s Basketball team? Follow MIU men’s basketball year-round and never miss a moment of the action:

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Maria Eduarda Rodrigues da Silva is the Sports Editor for MIU News and the Sports Information and Creative Director for the MIU Athletics Department.

The MIU League of Legends team opened the Spring 2026 season with a strong statement, earning a 2–0 sweep over Ithaca College in their first official match of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).

After weeks of preparation, reflection, and strategic development, the Pioneers demonstrated discipline, adaptability, and team cohesion in their season debut.

“We locked in early, and getting that first win was really impressive,” said Bobby, MIU Pioneers mid laner. “Overall, we adjusted well throughout the series. We knew we could beat them, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Game 1: Dominant start

MIU began the match on the red side, drafting Ashe (Aaron Ellis), Malphite (Skylar Allen), Azir (Christopher Revolinski), Rek’Sai (Cole Kerrigan), and Camille (Aaron Painter). The Pioneers quickly set the tone, securing first blood of the spring season through Bobby’s Azir.

Early momentum continued with a solo kill from Aaron’s Camille and additional pressure from Cole’s Rek’Sai, giving MIU a 3–0 lead. By 11 minutes, MIU led 7–1, with Rek’Sai posting a strong 4/0/2 stat line.

Although Ithaca College secured the first two dragons, MIU regained control at 18 minutes with a decisive team fight, eliminating three opponents and claiming their first dragon. The Pioneers followed with a Baron Nashor at 21:44 and closed the game shortly after, finishing Game 1 with a 25–8 victory in 30 minutes.

Game 2: Composure and resilience

Returning to the red side, MIU drafted Sivir (Aaron Ellis), Darius (Cole Kerrigan), Brand (Christopher Revolinski), Rakan (Skylar Allen), and Jax (Aaron Painter). Aaron once again made an early impact, securing first blood with Jax.

Ithaca responded with pressure across the map, holding a narrow kill advantage at 12 minutes. MIU countered by securing the first tower at approximately 15 minutes, shifting momentum back in their favor.

Game 2 evolved into a competitive, back-and-forth contest that extended to 37 minutes. Through coordinated team fighting and late-game execution, MIU secured the win with a 32–26 final score, completing the 2–0 sweep.

A strong start to the season

Following the match, the Pioneers reflected on a challenging week that included intense internal discussions and a late-added NECC matchup. The team’s ability to adapt and unify under pressure proved instrumental in their opening-night success.

The MIU Pioneers begin the Spring season undefeated and look ahead with confidence as NECC competition continues. The Pioneers will return to action on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as they face CSULB Blue in the MIU Esports Lab.

Stay connected

Want to stay up to date with the MIU Pioneers Esports team? Follow the MIU League of Legends team year-round and never miss a moment of the action:

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Maria Eduarda Rodrigues da Silva is the Sports Editor for MIU News and the Sports Information and Creative Director for the MIU Athletics Department.