Ashley Bliznick of Algonquin wasn’t sure what she wanted to major in when she began her studies at University of Dubuque four years ago. But after taking classes in psychology and criminal justice, the Jacobs High School graduate realized that combination was her niche. Last month, Bliznick proved her aptitude as part of the Iowa private college’s dispute mediation team, a program she actually helped create.

“I actually was interning for professor Ben Bartels, and he asked me to research dispute mediation,” said Bliznick, who played soccer at UD for three years and is set to graduate this May. “I found that Loras College, right up the street from us, had a (dispute mediation) team, so I started my research there.”

Though Bartels didn’t have much time to pull a team together for the National Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament on Nov. 10-12 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, he united students he thought would excel. He served as coach for the team, which ultimately placed ninth in the nation in the mediation category, and three of the students earned scholarships for law school.

Bliznick, who is majoring in criminal justice and psychology, said the teams competed in groups of three. Although she didn’t win an individual award, she said she is pleased her school garnered recognition as Best New Team. Planning to attend graduate school at University of Chicago or University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bliznick aspires for a career in social work.

“Understanding how people think, and finding a way to better society by understanding that, is what I like about what I’m studying,” said Bliznick, who hopes to work in child advocacy.

The International Academy of Dispute Resolution sponsors the undergraduate competition annually.

It’s designed to give students practical experience as a mediator, an attorney, and client. Three students make up a team, and each must participate as mediator in one of three preliminary rounds.

Mediation and advocacy training are part of the event, and coordinators emphasize education and fellowship. Competing schools included UW-Madison, Boston University, UW-Milwaukee, and  University of Texas.

“The weekend was an unbelievable opportunity for our students,” said Bartels. “For example, one student’s judge was the former chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. The tournament provides excellent resources and real-life opportunities. We can be very proud of these students’ accomplishments.”