At the Korbel School’s Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures, research is more than an academic exercise; it’s about supporting a global community that tackles today’s most consequential issues - from climate and conflict to development and security.

The Pardee Institute collaborates with people who are invested in our global future, including officials in governments, intergovernmental organizations, and international agencies, as well as practitioners who carry out their decisions and those with a stake in the downstream effects of those decisions.

At the heart of this work is the International Futures integrated assessment model, a one-of-a-kind global forecasting tool that helps identify and analyze the fundamental forces driving change over the coming decades, informing smarter policy decisions and more resilient planning. This powerful forecasting platform simulates how changes in one system - like health or energy - ripple across others, from governance to education to the environment.

But behind the sophistication of IFs and the breadth of Pardee’s research portfolio is a driving force that helps bring it to life: students. In the 2024-25 academic year, 88 University of Denver students, primarily from the Korbel School, played an essential role in advancing the Institute’s work. Organized into six specialized teams, these students contributed to everything from data modeling and diplomacy research to communications and operations - bringing both depth and agility to Pardee’s global initiatives.

“The projects I worked  on include Multilateral Treaties, UNGA, Embassies, and the IGOs. For each of these projects, I coded and vetted data, strengthening my attention to detail  and improving my  ability to work with complex datasets.”
-Maya Rai, Core Diplo

Some students work directly with the Pardee Institute’s flagship tool, the International Futures (IFs) model, contributing to both internal development and external research collaborations. Pardee Fellows - selected graduate students from the Korbel School - support scenario design, literature reviews, and client projects with global partners. Alongside them, the IFs Data Team maintains the model’s vast database, ensuring its accuracy and usability through technical work that supports long-term forecasting and real-world policy analysis.

Other teams focus on building the Institute’s empirical foundations. The Country and Organization Leader Travel (COLT) team, Pardee’s largest student cohort, maintains a one-of-a-kind dataset tracking the international travel of global leaders. Students gather and code open-source data, transforming it into structured insights that support diplomacy research. The Core Diplometrics team compiles data on international treaties, diplomatic representation, and organizational memberships, while the Perceived Mass Atrocities Dataset (PMAD) team contributed to a multi-year effort documenting mass atrocity events worldwide.

Meanwhile, the Institute’s communications and business operations are also student-powered. From managing Pardee’s web presence and writing research summaries to supporting HR, payroll, and event logistics, students help shape how the Institute functions and how its work is shared with the world. Their contributions ensure that Pardee’s insights reach diverse audiences - from policymakers to the public - with clarity, consistency, and professionalism.

Across all teams, students describe their experience at Pardee as transformative. They gain technical skills in data analysis, coding, and modeling; they refine their writing and communication abilities; and they learn to navigate the demands of collaborative, deadline-driven research. More than that, they find themselves contributing to projects with real-world relevance - projects that influence policy, inform global institutions, and shape public understanding.

“The Pardee Institute has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and nurture my curiosity. My work here has refined my writing and critical thinking skills, equipping  me for the professional world.”
-Wara Irfan, Marcom

As Director of Analysis Collin Meisel explains, this impact runs both ways. “Simply put, some of our research, like the COLT project, would not exist without our student research aides. Across this and many other projects, the unique perspectives that students bring, the questions they ask, the big and small suggestions they make, and the hard work they put in improves the work we do together in immeasurable ways. In turn, we aim to improve their professional lives and set our students up for future success, whether that be at a think tank, in government, an NGO, or whichever path they choose to carve in their career after Pardee.”

At the Pardee Institute, students don’t just get to join the conversation - they gain the skills to lead it, equipped with tools that last well beyond graduation. Their contributions are not auxiliary; they are essential. And in the process, these students are not only preparing for their futures - they’re helping to shape the future of global affairs.

For an in-depth look at the work taking place at the Pardee Institute, check out their 2024-2025 Annual Review.

 

As Professor Carol Spahn prepares for her first quarter at Korbel, it’s no secret that international and public affairs face uncharted waters. But as Former Director of the Peace Corps during the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Spahn’s expertise is leadership during uncertainty. 

When explaining her approach to leadership, she offers a simple but powerful metaphor she picked up on a Colorado rafting trip: point positive.  “Look at where you want to go, not at the rocks you want to avoid. Progress requires hope and your individual actions matter. Over time, they add up to something much bigger than yourself.” 

That mindset — focusing on possibility rather than the rocks you want to avoid — has defined Spahn’s approach to leadership throughout her career. As the new Rice Family Professor of the Practice of International and Public Affairs, Professor Spahn brings the full weight of a career defined by bold leadership and global service. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Spahn — then Chief of Operations for the African Region at the Peace Corps — supported the evacuation of nearly 7,000 volunteers from over 60 countries, navigating shuttered borders and grounded flights in a race against time. It was a moment that shook the very foundation of an institution built on global presence and human connection. 

Now, Professor Spahn brings her expertise to students at Korbel, ready to shape the next generation. “This is another highly transitional, disruptive time,” she said. “The most important thing is that we grab it and shape it. We can’t go back to where we were, but we can build what comes next.” 

A Career Built on Pivots

Growing up in Kansas in a large, practical family, the international stage seemed far away. While Professor Spahn would receive snippets of the world from her great-uncle, who was a Catholic missionary in Papua New Guinea, she never set foot east of the Mississippi until she headed to college in Washington, D.C. 

“Being in D.C. was such a tremendous learning experience,” she said. “Suddenly, you’re surrounded by people from all over the world. It really broadened my perspective.” 

Her practical roots led her to a degree in accounting, followed by a job offer with KPMG after graduation. But everything shifted during that last summer before she started, when she saved up for one of those “live on $4 a day” trips. It was meant to last only five weeks, just in time for her to start her new career. Instead, she found herself in Southern Turkey, standing at a public pay phone, calling KPMG to ask if she could postpone her start date. That call marked a turning point. 

“I wanted to learn more,” she said, “as a global citizen and not as a tourist.” She later applied to the Peace Corps and was placed in Romania, just four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. During her time there, she witnessed an entire nation’s economy shift from state-run systems to private enterprise, an experience that revealed both the challenges and opportunities of global transformation. 

From there, her career spanned international finance, nonprofit leadership, and eventually her return to the Peace Corps — first as a country director, then as agency head. Each pivot, she said, was shaped as much by circumstances as by design. 

“Life really is a series of turning points,” she reflected. “Oftentimes, you don’t control them. Family, health, global events - all shape your path. But if you stay open, each step can be a moment to learn and grow.” 

Lessons in Leadership 

Former President Biden appointed Professor Spahn to be Acting Director of the Peace Corps during the pandemic, and she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. The Peace Corps’ continued existence is owed, in part, to her leadership when there were no volunteers in the field. “Any disruption, especially large-scale disruption outside your control, forces you to ask: how do we maintain relevance?” Professor Spahn asked. “How do we move forward?” 

Professor Spahn answered that question by mobilizing the entire agency around reimagining service, advancing equity, and delivering quality. Every employee had a role to play. 

“For our back-office teams,” Spahn said, “we asked how we should standardize and streamline to improve efficiency. For our programmatic teams, we asked how we could contribute to the COVID response and be ready for a new reality when borders reopened. Importantly, we were intentional about maintaining our relationships and relevance around the world.” 

Under Professor Spahn’s leadership, the Peace Corps streamlined operations, launched virtual service opportunities, mobilized staff to support in-country COVID responses, and even deployed volunteers domestically for FEMA’s vaccination rollout. Now, Spahn is eager to translate these lessons to the classroom. 

Shaping the Future Together in Denver 

After decades of experience in finance, service, and international development, she is thrilled to begin this new chapter in Denver. Not only is she bringing her experience into the classroom, she’s also joining a community that holds significance for her family. Her daughter is a proud alumna of the Korbel School, making this next step personally and professionally meaningful. “When she started here, we got to know Colorado and the school,” Spahn said. “I was so impressed by the caliber of education she received and the welcoming community. Korbel has a tremendous reputation, and its vantage point in the West gives it a unique voice outside the Beltway.” 

For Spahn, her return to Korbel is about more than teaching; it’s about building alongside students and colleagues during a moment of transition. 

“There’s no playbook for where we are right now,” she said. “But that’s what makes this such an interesting time. The disruption is here. What matters is how we respond and reinvent.” 

Professor Spahn will share more insights from her career in leadership and international development during the inaugural Dean’s speaker series event at Korbel. Don’t miss your chance to attend “Meeting the Moment: Leadership in a Turbulent World,” on Thursday, September 18, where she’ll join Dean Fritz Mayer for a fireside chat about navigating times of upheaval with resilience, adaptability, and purpose.

Colorado – From August 13–15, 2025, a diverse group of leaders from across Colorado will convene in the San Luis Valley as part of the Colorado Project’s Rural Learning Tour. The Colorado Project is a statewide initiative designed to advance shared prosperity and inclusive, sustainable growth in all regions of Colorado. It is convened by the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy at the University of Denver.

Now in its second iteration, the Colorado Project is focusing on the distinctive challenges rural communities face and the innovative, locally driven solutions they are generating. The Rural Learning Tour seeks to elevate this ingenuity, highlighting creative interventions in cost of living, sustainability, economic mobility, and entrepreneurship.

The San Luis Valley convening will spotlight organizations and initiatives in rural healthcare, food systems, affordable housing, and environmental stewardship, among others. There will also be a special focus on youth engagement and workforce readiness. Aaron Miltenberger, one of the co-hosts of this convening and President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, emphasizes the importance of youth engagement in efforts like this: “Investing in our kids isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s how we build a stronger rural economy. When young people in the San Luis Valley get real skills, strong mentors, and the confidence to lead, they come back as nurses in Alamosa, teachers in Antonito, and business owners in Monte Vista. That’s how we grow—by investing in our own.”

Participants will visit Alamosa, Center, Monte Vista, and Mosca over the three days to tour a food distribution hub, learn about the revitalization of Main Street in Alamosa, meet with agricultural producers leveraging tech solutions for more sustainable production, and hear directly from community leaders from institutions like Adams State University, San Luis Valley Health, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley. Colorado Project participant Kurt Walker, a Korbel School alum and Ranch Manager at Pine Canyon Ranch, remarks “The San Luis Valley is proof that when we center equity and innovation, rural places can lead Colorado’s future.”

The San Luis Valley visit follows a successful convening in Sterling in June to better understand the context of northeastern Colorado. Following Alamosa, the Learning Tour will travel to Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley (October 8–10), where the conversation will turn to recreation-based economies and conservation finance. Each stop reveals distinct regional strengths, but the tour’s goal is unified: uncovering shared solutions for both rural and statewide prosperity across Colorado.

After years of dedicated work in international development, Abdelrahman (Bido) Ibrahim was ready for something bigger. His M.A. in International Development became the next logical step—a move that opened doors for him to have a broader platform with even greater social impact. 

Through Korbel’s Pardee Institute, Bido landed an internship with the African Union Development Agency, also known as AUDA-NEPAD. For an Egyptian citizen like Bido, it was the perfect fit. “Working with a group like AUDA-NEPAD is exactly what I envisioned doing,” he said. “This is why I went into development in the first place.” 

A Hands-On Role in Africa’s Future 

While connecting with Assistant Professor Dr. Jonathan Moyer at a meet-and-greet, Bido applied for a brand-new fellowship, got it, and spent his first year working closely with the Pardee Institute team. 

Using Pardee’s International Futures (IFs) model, Bido and fellow Korbel student Omar Aittakalla explored how countries could contribute to the African Union’s 2063 Development Agenda —an ambitious vision for the continent’s future.  In his work, Bido builds relationships with AUDA-NEPAD members, crafts development proposals, and works on high-impact presentations for African nations. 

“We provide the information,” Bido explained. “We tell them what we think, but it’s ultimately their decision to include, adapt, or omit ideas.” 

“We’re not in the driver’s seat,” emphasized Dr. Moyer, Director of the Pardee Institute. “Our role is to listen, provide the tools, and support their vision. The real work of setting policies and making change? That’s entirely AUDA-NEPAD’s responsibility.” 

Networking with Leaders in Development 

Bido met AUDA-NEPAD members in person for the first time when they traveled to Denver in 2024 to collaborate on development proposals. The African Union representatives also hosted events to connect students with the world of policy and government work. Meeting AUDA-NEPAD members face-to-face was a standout moment for Bido. “You see the human side of things that Zoom or Teams can’t show you. It’s so motivating—it makes you want to work harder and do better.” 

His dedication earned him a second role working directly with AUDA-NEPAD and eventually a full-time staff position at Korbel. While juggling work and studies isn’t easy, he says the rewards are worth it. “The more involved I got, the more I realized this is exactly how I want to make a difference.” 

A Unique Perspective on International Relations 

As an Egyptian working on African development goals in the U.S., Bido brings a nuanced perspective to his role. “There’s this fatigue in the Middle East and Africa about the West telling us what to do,” he explained. “That’s why AUDA-NEPAD is so powerful—it’s Africans leading development for Africa. Pardee supports that balance, helping without taking over.” 

Looking ahead, Bido is finishing his M.A. while continuing his impactful work with AUDA-NEPAD. For him, it’s about more than career growth—it’s about being part of a brighter, self-determined future for Africa. 

Curious about how Pardee’s IFs model works? Learn more here. Want to dive deeper into AU’s Agenda 2063? Check it out here.

Summer at the Korbel School isn’t just a break from the classroom — it’s a launchpad for careers in international affairs and public policy. 

During the ten-week break, students can take advantage of Korbel’s connections with government institutions and influential local leaders. Many graduate and undergraduate students participate in summer fellowships, often with the guidance of the Office of Career Professional Development (OCPD) to help with applications and professional introductions. In just one summer, these fellowships can help open doors that kickstart an entire career. 

This summer, Mason Rothenberger, Nancy Idehen, and Haley Graham each took on ambitious summer fellowships. From shaping legislation in Denver to engaging with international development in Tanzania, they gained skills and perspective that will shape their careers for years to come. 

Mason Rothenberger (BA ’25): Govern for America Fellowship 

Mason Rothenberger, a recent graduate who double majored in International Studies and Spanish, is heading into a two-year public service commitment through the Govern for America Fellowship. The competitive program pairs early-career professionals with state agencies to drive impact at the local level. 

Rothenberger was elated when she got the news that she’d be starting her post-graduation journey working with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. “Not only do I have the opportunity to analyze housing policy,” Rothenberger said, “but I can engage with stakeholders in a way that is meaningful to them. And I can shape my future path forward, too.” 

The Department of Local Affairs plays a crucial role in connecting state and federal funding with local housing initiatives—a perfect fit for Rothenberger’s interests. “They take the state-allocated funds from the federal government and connect smaller projects to that big pool of money. In my division, I’ll focus on housing projects directly.” 

For Rothenberger, this opportunity is a perfect chance to make connections and get experience to prepare her for her long-term career goals. Her ultimate goal is to find a government job where she can make education more accessible and sustainable. “If I make the life of at least one child filled with more potential – because they could develop literary skills and get a civic education – then that’s a career that matters in my book.” Her long-term vision is anchored in rebuilding trust in public institutions. “If I can help create a system that people believe in and feel their voice is heard, I could be happy for the rest of my life.” 

Nancy Idehen (MA ’26): Urban Leaders Fellowship 

For Nancy Idehen, a master’s student in Global Economic Affairs (GEA), the summer is about getting to the heart of policymaking through the Urban Leaders Fellowship. She’s been paired with the Spring Institute in Denver and will spend the summer crafting and shaping real-world policy alongside elected officials. 

“Everything seems so exciting. I'm so pumped,” Idehen shared. “I've already ironed what I'm going to wear. I feel like the most exciting part is that we’re working with elected officials and driving policies. Sometimes, there can be a gap between studying and actually getting experience. At Korbel, that’s where the intersection is: policy work. And Korbel is helping me get to do it.” 

Beneath her enthusiasm lies deep experience and purpose. Idehen came to DU from Nigeria, where she studied international diplomacy and was active in politics. “My background has always been public policy,” she said. “Back home, I was involved in the political landscape. Here, I’m learning how the U.S. policy system works and getting hands-on experience while doing it. It’s very exciting.” 

To Idehen, this work is about bringing ideas into action. “Policy work sounds so abstract,” she said, “but these are things that affect communities and millions of lives. So it is extremely, extremely important.” 

Haley Graham (BA ’27): Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

For second-year undergraduate student Haley Graham, the summer holds an entirely different kind of adventure. A recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for Swahili, Graham will spend eight weeks in East Africa immersed in intensive language study and cultural exchange. 

“I've always wanted to go to Africa since I was a little girl,” she said. “But I never thought I would ever go there while learning. I'm most excited for being with a host family… having that intentional connection with someone who knows the culture and the community really well.” 

The CLS program, run by the U.S. State Department and Department of Education, is designed to build language fluency in fields of critical need. Graham is prepared for the challenge: “By week two, they hope I’ll only be speaking Swahili.” Graham, a double major in International Studies and Sociology, traces her passion for language back to her early education. “I grew up learning Spanish, even though neither of my parents speak it,” she said. “Learning languages is a great way to connect to cultures.” 

Swahili, though new to her, aligns with her broader goals in immigration law. “The Sub-Saharan Africa diaspora is one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S., but very few lawyers speak Swahili,” she explained. “It makes legal access virtually impossible. I want to help make the legal field more accessible and diverse.” 

Denver, Colorado: Connected to the Issues, Grounded in Community 

Idehen, Graham, and Rothenberger say the communal focus of Denver and Korbel is ideal for enabling fellowship opportunities like these. Denver offers more than just scenic views—it’s a place where community, civic engagement, and professional development converge. The city’s political complexity and the Korbel School’s collaborative spirit create the perfect environment for fellowships, mentorship, and career exploration. 

“I find a lot of joy in Colorado,” Rothenberger shared. “I really like the outdoorsy-ness of the state and the political nuance. I’m a very politically interested person, and there’s a lot going on in Colorado.” 

Graham, who works in Korbel’s Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD), credits the staff for helping her navigate the path to the CLS Scholarship. “Rae Ann, Gergana, and Jamie were absolutely wonderful in helping me figure out what direction I wanted to go with my application,” she said. 

Idehen echoed the sense of connection, citing the strong support she’s received from both faculty and staff. “Denver is a very good place,” she said. “I’ve found community in Korbel. I’ve spoken to professors, administrative staff—people like Debbie Gaylin and Professor Lewis Griffith—and they’ve all helped bridge the gap so I don’t feel out of the loop. I feel like I’m connected and immersed.” 

Community at Korbel: Beyond the Classroom, Into the World 

At Korbel, the classroom is only the start of the experience for both graduate and undergraduate students alike. Summer interterm is a time for students to tap into the Korbel School's vast network, finding fellowships and scholarships in Denver and around the world. Whether through local housing initiatives, international language programs, or legislative experience, students are making the world a better place while advancing their careers. 

Idehen, Graham, and Rothenberger encourage others at Korbel to pursue these summer opportunities—even if they seem intimidating at first—emphasizing how crucial faculty and staff support was to their success. “My essays have grown stronger, and I've definitely narrowed and tailored my focus to what I want to do,” Rothenberger said. “And as for the success aspect of it, don't look at it as a binary. You’re still going to learn even if you don't get the fellowship on the first or second time.” 

At the Korbel School, support doesn’t end after you’re admitted — it begins there. Whether navigating career paths, applying for competitive fellowships, or finding a sense of belonging far from home, students know they’re not doing it alone. With dedicated staff, engaged faculty, and a network that spans across Denver and the globe, Korbel empowers students to take bold steps toward public service, global impact, and lifelong purpose.

Sabre Morris (M.A. International Security, 2020) first encountered the world of international affairs in a middle school classroom in her hometown of Aurora, Colorado, where she participated in a hands-on experience called the ‘World Affairs Challenge’ Her social studies teacher noticed the spark, and not long after, her mother handed her a clipped article from Essence magazine featuring a Foreign Service Officer stationed in Costa Rica. “This is something you could do,” she said, and Morris believed her.

That early encouragement stayed with her. Throughout high school, she dove into globally focused extracurriculars like speech and debate and Model United Nations, finding energy and purpose in understanding how different countries and cultures interact. But it was at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs where Morris began to grasp the full range of what a global career could look like. “I went into this thinking the only way to do international work was through the Foreign Service,” she said. “Honestly, I give credit to Korbel. I learned there are so many opportunities in the international affairs space, across both the public and private sectors.” While internships with the Department of State helped clarify career opportunities, it was a combination of classroom learning and insightful peer conversations that expanded her view of the field.

At Korbel, Morris encountered a fast-paced learning environment that mirrored the consulting world she would eventually enter. Real-world simulations, group projects, and rapid-fire discussions pushed her to adapt, think quickly, and communicate with clarity. “At first, I didn’t understand why we were doing so many simulations,” she admitted. But in her early days on the job, it became clear just how much those exercises had prepared her for real-world problem solving. “You're using the same muscle in your brain when you're in the simulation, and then you take those skills out into the real world.”

What began in the classroom grew into a successful career with the help of Korbel’s professional network and resources. “I participated in the Korbel in D.C. program, which gave me a tangible sense of international affairs work. I spent six months in Washington D.C. building connections, networking, meeting other alumni, and learned the in-and outs of the cross-sector [public, private, and nonprofit],” she said. “I didn’t know what government consulting was until I met Korbel alums. They described their roles, projects, and impact they made for their clients in the federal government space, and I thought to myself, is this a possible career path for me?” Those conversations helped her see how her international security background could translate to the private sector. After joining  Deloitte’s Denver office, she helped recruit DU and Korbel students. After a successful run in Denver, she transitioned to Washington, D.C., where she supports defense and security clients.

While her career has taken her on an exciting journey to a new city, the sense of community she found at Korbel remains constant. Many of her closest friendships were formed during group projects and late-night study sessions, and she continues to stay connected with the Korbel network today. In D.C., she enjoys mentoring current students. “I met a recent grad for coffee in Arlington and was immediately impressed,” she said. “The Korbel community is always supportive, welcoming, and eager to connect.”

Sabre Morris’s journey is an inspiring testament to how following your passions can lead to a meaningful career, even if the path is not always linear. “International affairs will always be here,” she says. “Even if things feel uncertain or delayed, there’s still a need for subject matter experts and people on the ground doing this work.”

Now, Morris is excited to support current students through their time at Korbel and beyond, offering encouragement, perspective, and practical advice as an official alumni ambassador. You can connect with her at [email protected].

Colorado – On June 17–18, 2025, a diverse group of civic, political, and private sector leaders from across Colorado will gather in Sterling as part of the Colorado Project’s Rural Learning Tour. The Colorado Project is a unique statewide effort to advance shared prosperity and sustainable and inclusive growth in every corner of the state. The initiative is convened by the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy at the University of Denver, in collaboration with partners across the state.

In its second iteration, the Colorado Project will explore the substantive policy challenges that rural communities face, as well as the creative solutions they are developing in response. Dean of the Korbel School, Fritz Mayer, explains, “The Colorado Project is about bridging Colorado’s urban-rural divide with evidence‑based policy solutions. Sterling is where that conversation begins this year.” The Rural Learning Tour aims to capture local innovations that align with the Colorado Project’s four cornerstones: Colorado’s Promise (access to prosperity in all Colorado communities), sustainability and resilience, economic mobility and workforce, and cost of living. These cornerstones emerged from the first iteration of the Colorado Project, which culminated in a report detailing a strategy for inclusive statewide growth.

The Sterling gathering will spotlight rural housing innovations, career‑connected learning, renewable energy stewardship, and small businesses. Participants will tour a wind‑energy site in Crook, meet with Northeast Colorado Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Northeastern Junior College leaders, and network with local entrepreneurs at community events on Main Street. "We're thrilled to welcome the Colorado Project's first Rural Renaissance convening to Sterling. Our community is eager to share how we are innovating and discuss stronger partnership opportunities across all northeast Colorado" shares Trae Miller, Executive Director of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation. The convening will also benefit the Colorado Project participants, who represent other communities across the state. Participant Heidi Williams, President and CEO of Civic Results and Executive Director of the Metro Mayors Caucus reiterates this point: “Colorado’s small towns have long been laboratories of innovation. By listening to Sterling’s local ingenuity we can scale ideas that benefit every corner of the state.”

After Sterling, the Rural Learning Tour will visit Alamosa (August 14–15) and the San Luis Valley, followed by a visit to Steamboat Springs (October 9–10) and the Yampa Valley. Each region’s challenges are distinct, but the tour seeks to surface cross‑cutting solutions that advance inclusive growth for all of rural Colorado.

To learn more about the Colorado Project, visit the website or contact [email protected].

Former Secretary of State and Korbel Alumnus Condoleezza Rice’s recent message to the Korbel community was clear: Democracy as we know it hangs in the balance—but there is hope in tomorrow’s leaders. “When you’re in the middle of an avalanche, you can’t stop it; you just have to decide how you’re going to dig out,” the former Secretary of State told the audience at DU’s Korbel Honors 2025 celebration. “We’re in a little bit of an avalanche right now.” 

The sentiment hit home at the annual gathering to honor the faculty, staff, and alumni who embody the ideals and values of the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs: education, democracy, and service. The uncertainty of global affairs was not lost on the crowd, especially this year on the 60th anniversary of the school’s founding. “We find ourselves at a momentous point in history,” added Dean of the Korbel School Fritz Mayer. “It is a remarkably challenging time, and there’s been no other moment — certainly in my lifetime — where so much was changing.”

“Being in Denver in the Mountain West has always given us that kind of critical distance.... We’ve been able to adapt and respond... because we’re not in the day-to-day fray of the Washington beltway." - Fritz Mayer, Dean of the Korbel School

However, it was not so different for the founder of the Korbel School, the late international relations professor Josef Korbel. The Czechoslovakian native worked as a European diplomat immediately following World War II (during which he fled to London to escape the Nazi invasion), but immigrated with his family to the United States in 1948 to avoid the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia. With a promising diplomatic future in the rearview, Dr. Korbel redirected his energy toward academia, where it became apparent that few international affairs professors at the time possessed his rare blend of real-life diplomatic experience and intellectual curiosity about the principles of democracy—and the need to uphold it. He parlayed that into the debut of DU’s Graduate School of International Studies in1964 and remained at the university until his death in 1977. In 2008, the school was renamed to honor his legacy.

Korbel alumna and keynote speaker Dr. Rice (PhD ’81) is living proof of Korbel’s legacy. With trademark eloquence, she reflected on her journey from would-be music major at DU to mentee of Josef Korbel; to provost and professor of political science at Stanford University; and to her appointment as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State—the second woman to serve as such after the late Madeleine Albright, Dr. Korbel’s daughter. And her vision for democracy is rooted right here in the teachings of her mentor. “I knew I wanted to be somebody who did a lot of the things that Dr. Korbel had done: diplomacy, the study of foreign cultures and languages…He opened the world of the Soviet Union to me…He always said that mentors are people who see things in you that you don’t even see in yourself.” Dr. Korbel did indeed share his gift of diplomatic acumen with both his daughter and Dr. Rice—something he excelled at in part because of his extensive firsthand experience.

“We sometimes want to put a price tag on education: What will it be worth in what I can earn? It’s not a bad thing to think about. But it’s more about expanding your mind and the possibilities of who you might become.” - Former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Korbel School Alumna

Dr. Rice was the last student that Dr. Korbel taught. She recalled a remark he once made in class that democracy is “the only system where human dignity can be fully realized. So he was fundamentally devoted to the democratic enterprise,” she said. “There are now people in the world and even in our own country who aren’t so sure [they share that view].” Now is not the time, she argued, to sit back and wait for those people to come around. Rather, it’s a time to tackle conflicting values head-on.

In fact, 60 years ago when Dr. Korbel founded the school (currently ranked 12th in the world for international relations graduate programs), world forces as we knew them were shifting then as well. The conflict in Vietnam was escalating, passage of the Voting Rights Act spurred the larger Civil Rights Movement forward, and the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union was gaining momentum. “We were a school founded … by a generation who was grappling with the great issues of that time,” said Dean Fritz Mayer. “How to avoid a third world war, how to address international development, how to tackle human rights—these were the salient issues of that moment.”

For Dean Mayer, these are the most important questions faculty and staff tackle together. “How do we prepare our students for the challenges of today?” he asks. “The challenges they’re likely to face in their career?” Engaging with these pivotal issues still remains at the heart of Korbel’s ethos, even when the weight of uncertainty and drastic change is daunting. Because when the avalanche stops, digging out will require savvy tools, sharp strategy, innovation, and grit. And, as each of the 2025 Korbel award recipients pointed out, our government, institutions, NGOs, and businesses will need the kinds of smart, engaged leaders that the Korbel School matriculates to grab shovels when the slide clears. 

That’s where Korbel students shine, said Beth Ingalls, (B.A. ’96), Division Chief at the U.S. Department of State and recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. “The Korbel School promotes meaningful action through their programs,” she said. “They’re promoting democracy, human rights, and protection of national security. All of these issues will continue to be extremely important regardless of who is in the White House.”

“One of the things the Korbel School instilled in me is the idea of service.” - Beth Ingalls, Korbel Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Ingalls’ impressive career in foreign service, national security, and counterterrorism grew from her interest in public service, launched at the Korbel School. Building on her love of travel and interest in the global community, she took an international politics course on a whim. It was the catalyst for a profoundly impactful professional track that has taken her from Egypt to Pakistan to Afghanistan and back to Washington, D.C. “One of the things the Korbel School instilled in me is the idea of service,” Ingalls said. “Getting into the international studies degree program opened up opportunities and made me think about where I could work in the government, which brought me to the State Department.”

No matter where Ingalls’ path has taken her, she’s continued to keep her ties to Korbel strong. Connections and community, she says, are at the heart of the school’s culture and the continuing success of its students in our nation’s capital and beyond. In fact, Ingalls is the executive chair of Korbel’s Alumni Council, and plays an instrumental role in hosting students in Washington, D.C. through Korbel’s D.C. Career Connections program. At Korbel, she said, “You’re not just a number. You’re not lost in thousands of students … The school really punches above their weight in terms of having so many alumni here in the State Department and other places in the federal government. That’s something to be proud of.”

Success beyond the degree is due in no small part to educators like Professor Sachin Desai, winner of Korbel’s 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award. Born in Mumbai, India, Professor Desai completed both his M.S. and M.B.A. at DU, and has been teaching at the Korbel School since 2012. In his graduate quantitative methods courses, Professor Desai helps students apply data and statistics to understand and solve problems—even those students hesitant about the subject matter. “More than half of them take a second or third class with me because they end up finding the skill sets very relevant in the real world,” Professor Desai said. “I have changed the curriculum over time to reflect market realities and what is in demand for students.”

“They are already coming in with some passion about something. In the classroom, you’ve got all these diverse perspectives about where they’ve been and what they’ve done. They are already disciplined, diligent, and focused.” - Professor Sachin Desai, Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient

The mutual respect between Professor Desai and his students is a reflection of a strong relationship between an engaged, invested faculty and the driven, curious students who choose a Korbel education. “They are already coming in with some passion about something,” Professor Desai said. “In the classroom, you’ve got all these diverse perspectives about where they’ve been and what they’ve done. They are already disciplined, diligent, and focused. Their minds are ready to receive. It’s easy for us to give what we have to give.”

And how exactly does one inspire the next generation in times of such glaring uncertainty? It’s about taking the long view, expanding possibilities, and encouraging students to be adaptable in order to stay the course. It’s remembering that no one at Korbel is working in isolation to educate tomorrow’s leaders, he said—that it does indeed “take a village.”

The fact that the Korbel School is a community 1,600 miles away from the political buzz of our nation’s capital, and many agree that this distance is advantageous. “Being in Denver in the Mountain West … has always given us that kind of critical distance,” said Dean Mayer. “We like to say we have a bit of a wider aperture, maybe a longer horizon. We often use the phrase, ‘You can see far from here.’ We’ve been able to adapt and respond perhaps more nimbly in part because we’re not in the day-to-day fray of the Washington beltway.” Put another way, that distance gives students the space to make creative and deliberate choices that help channel their passions. 

That’s where Rae Ann Bories-Easley comes in as the Senior Director of the Korbel Office of Career Development, and the winner of the 2025 Outstanding Staff Award. Not only does Bories-Easley model what service looks like in her work with so many students, but she also plays an instrumental role in shaping their trajectories through fellowships, internships, networking events, job workshops, and more. Even amidst this troubling slide, she pointed out, Korbel students are continuing to step up because they know what drives them—be it climate policy, gender equity, conflict resolution, or human rights—and they have the advantage of that wide-angle perspective, removed from the noise. “Many students are interested in federal service, specifically,” she said, though she noted that this door is a little sticky right now. “So a lot of students are thinking about a pivot: How do I do good in this world in a different way?”

"What’s really important now is the skill of being the human in the room—being able to build relationships, talk to people, read the room, and engage with stakeholders.” - Rae Ann Bories-Easley, Korbel Staff Excellence Award Recipient

As for what the future holds for the Korbel School and the way it shapes tomorrow’s leaders, there’s no doubt that change is already upon us, Bories-Easley said, with artificial intelligence front and center. AI as a tool is critical moving forward, she pointed out, and already omnipresent, “So what’s really important now is the skill of being the human in the room—being able to build relationships, talk to people, read the room, and engage with stakeholders.” 

Perhaps that’s what the Korbel School has done best throughout its history: Provided space for the exploration of new frontiers while simultaneously keeping its students grounded in the human-to-human connection that makes cross-cultural progress successful. Connections, Dr. Rice pointed out, are key to the interdisciplinary nature of the Korbel School’s programs.  After all, you can’t worry about problems like sustainability or national security without building a spectrum of economists, political scientists, environmentalists, and psychologists—and then wielding their tools in tandem with each other. “Problems,” she said, “don’t come with neat disciplinary boundaries.”

Our future leaders will need interdisciplinary attention and resiliency—and Korbel is equipping its students to navigate that journey, which won’t be straightforward. “There’s a balance between clear-eyed realism about what is happening,” said Dean Mayer, “a willingness to speak truth as we see it and be critical—coupled with the underlying belief that these problems are caused by humans, and we can therefore address them with the courage, intellect, and will to tackle even the most daunting of problems.”

Dr. Rice agreed, pointing to the change that one person’s decisions can set in motion. Her grandfather, she shared, was the son of a sharecropper and a freed slave, and he figured out how to put himself through college. Now, there’s not a member of the Rice family who isn’t college-educated. “We sometimes want to put a price tag on education: What will it be worth in what I can earn?” she said. “It’s not a bad thing to think about. But it’s more about expanding your mind and the possibilities of who you might become.”

Learn more about the 60th Year Anniversary of the Korbel School below.

 

DENVER, CO — The Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver is proud to announce that Carol Spahn, former Director of the Peace Corps, will join its faculty in fall 2025 as the Rice Family Professor of the Practice of International and Public Affairs.  

Spahn was appointed as Acting Director of the Peace Corps by President Joseph R. Biden on his first day of office and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate thereafter.  During her tenure, she guided the agency through a historic global relaunch following the COVID-19 pandemic, where more than 3,000 volunteers returned to service across 61 countries. She led transformational efforts to modernize operations, strengthen volunteer safety and trauma-informed care, and launched new country programs in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, and Palau. She also successfully secured the Peace Corps’ first budget increase in seven years. 

In addition to her recent government service, Spahn has more than 25 years of international development experience, including leadership roles at Women for Women International, Accordia Global Health Foundation, and in multiple Peace Corps posts as both Country Director and Volunteer. 

“Carol Spahn embodies a lifelong commitment to public service and international engagement,” said Fritz Mayer, Dean of the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs. “Her experience and insight will be invaluable to our students and our broader community.” 

The appointment of Spahn as the Rice Family Professor of Practice reflects Korbel’s deep and ongoing connection and commitment to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Korbel launched dedicated scholarships for evacuated volunteers, resulting in a surge in RPCV enrollment. Korbel remains steadfast in its support for those called to service. In fact, the University of Denver and the Korbel School have consistently been recognized as one of the top volunteer-producing universities by the Peace Corps. 

For media inquiries or more information, please contact:
Stephanie Worden | Assistant Dean for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications
[email protected]    

Creating a truly inclusive learning environment takes more than good intentions—it takes commitment, creativity, and care. Korbel School Professor Rebecca Galemba embodies these values every day, and to mark this year’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), the University of Denver awarded her the GAAD Award for Accessible & Inclusive Classroom Experiences. This distinction highlights her outstanding efforts to ensure every student feels supported and empowered to succeed.

Prof. Galemba’s approach to accessibility is an everyday extension of what GAAD celebrates in higher education: inclusive and accessible teaching practices. One student remarked, “Prof. Galemba has placed such an emphasis on accessibility and making sure that all of her students can learn in the way that best suits them. Her efforts to make her course accessible really encouraged me to engage with her and her course.” This kind of student feedback underscores the powerful ripple effect of Prof. Galemba’s thoughtfully inclusive classroom.

The University of Denver and the broader Korbel community are proud to recognize Prof. Galemba’s unwavering commitment to her students. Her work not only exemplifies the spirit of GAAD but also raises the bar for what inclusive education can and should be. Congratulations to Prof. Galemba on this well-earned honor!