About Us

     The Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution was founded in 1986 by Associate Professor and Director, Marvin E. Johnson. Its mission is to promote and provide education and comprehensive approaches to dispute resolution that constructively serve the needs of our culturally diverse society. The Center began as a self-sustaining entity of Bowie State University and was the first and only Dispute Resolution Center at a Historically Black College or University.

     Under Professor Johnson's direction, the Center grew from being a leader in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD area to being recognized and respected throughout the Nation.

     The Center focuses primarily on the practical application of ADR principles. It offers a wide variety of dispute resolution education and professional development programs. It has a continuing commitment to enhancing the skills and abilities of current ADR practitioners and users, and to developing more cultural diversity within the dispute resolution field.

     In September 2000, the Center initiated new affiliations with Salisbury State University's Center for Conflict Resolution, the Cooperative Consortium for Dispute Resolution, and the University of the District of Columbia and ended its fifteen-year relationship with Bowie State University.