The Rev. Peter Balleis, S.J. is the co-founding member of the Jesuit Commons: Higher Education at the Margins (JC:HEM), which makes online higher education courses available to refugees, and served as international director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) from 2007 to 2015. Since 2010, in partnership with JRS, more than 2,000 students have studied in JC:HEM programs. Many of JC:HEM’s overseas sites were established at Fr. Balleis’ initiative, including most recently in two camps in Eastern Chad, Goz Beida and Guereda. JRS is an international, Catholic organization defending the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. More than 700,000 people whose lives have been interrupted by natural disasters or conflict are currently being aided by JRS, which works in partnership with the United Nations, local churches and other faith-based institutions and local non-governmental organizations.