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 International Studies 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 International Studies 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 International Studies: 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 International Studies 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 International Studies. “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!

Teaching Assistant Professor Dr. Stefan Chavez-Norgaard’s lifelong interest in public policy began at just six years old. As he took Philadelphia’s SEPTA train from his grandparents’ house to Center City, he was struck by the disparate quality of livelihoods visible from his window. “Even as a young kid,” he said, “I was shocked by the inequalities that the city line could mean in terms of land use, tree cover, and house size.” 

That early awareness of inequity sparked a lifelong passion for public policy and urban planning, one that eventually brought him to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where he is now completing his first year as a faculty member. 

“That’s where it all started,” he reflected. “A six-year-old visiting his grandparents with his mom and dad.” 

That moment on the train sparked more than curiosity; it ignited a lifelong commitment to understanding how people with different lived experiences exist alongside one another, and how systems can either support or hinder that possibility. “The throughline across all my research is how can people of different backgrounds — racial, ethnic, gender, and class — live together side by side, as opposed to being separated by walls, segregation, and disparity,” Dr. Chavez-Norgaard explained. 

That guiding question led him to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he returned many times to study the Born Free Generation: the first cohort to come of age without direct memory of apartheid. “This generation represented a really amazing historical moment — a society of explicit racial hierarchy and oppression giving way to a multiracial democracy,” he said. 

Dr. Chavez-Norgaard’s research centers on local democratic governance — bottom-up forms of engagement — and in Johannesburg, he found a powerful case study of a multiracial society striving to transcend its past. “I’ve stayed in touch with many of the original interviewees from my undergraduate thesis. They became interviewees in my PhD dissertation — and now, I would call them friends.” 

The insights gained from this work not only shaped his academic journey but also drew him to Colorado, where he was born and raised, and where the intersection of democratic engagement and urban development offered new opportunities to continue his exploration. So, when the opening for a faculty position at the Korbel School popped up, Dr. Chavez-Norgaard was immediately interested. “There’s a sort of pragmatism about democratic problem solving in Colorado,” he said. “And then there’s the nature and beauty of the region as well as dynamism and growth.” 

Throughout his first year, Dr. Chavez-Norgaard visited neighborhood associations and community organizations, which led to involvement in projects like the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The effort to bring public transportation to this part of Denver required collaboration among a diverse range of stakeholders, creating a dynamic participatory process at the intersection of democratic principles and urban planning. “Who’s the envisioned rider of such a system?” he asked himself. “What about the displacement of existing residents of Colfax? Is BRT along Colfax even the right answer?” Projects like this, and the complex questions they raise, have affirmed that coming to Colorado was the right decision — a place where his research can take root and make a tangible impact. 

All Dr. Chavez-Norgaard’s efforts networking across the city culminated in making his debut Public Policy Analysis classes possible – one for undergraduates and another for graduate students. “These aren’t your typical lecture-based courses,” he said. “They’re chances for students to dive into real-world policy work, connect with professionals, and explore how cities like Denver interact globally.” Throughout the quarter, students meet with a lineup of inspiring guest speakers, taking an experiential learning approach.  

Some of the guest speakers are former ambassadors, representatives from institutions like the Truman Center, the Pacific Disaster Center, World Denver, and multiple members of the Colorado Consular Corps. Students work directly with the U.S. Department of State and Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) on client-based projects. 

Much of this is powered by the Korbel alumni network, which plays a big role in opening doors. Former students now working in these agencies are eager to give back, mentoring current students, and bringing their professional world into the classroom. 

Dr. Chavez-Norgaard’s first year at Korbel has been defined by connection to his colleagues, students, and the broader Denver community. By grounding his teaching in hands-on experiences and his research in questions that matter across borders and backgrounds, he’s created a learning environment that is as intellectually rigorous as it is personally meaningful. 

“I’ve felt welcomed and supported by the Korbel faculty from the very beginning, and I’m hoping to grow alongside faculty and staff colleagues at Korbel, whom I hope I can think of as lifelong friends,” he shared. That spirit of collaboration and purpose is shaping not just his own path, but the journeys of the next generation of public policy leaders — students learning to navigate complexity with clarity, empathy, and a drive to make a difference.

Dr. Hilary Matfess, Assistant Professor and Director of Korbel’s International Security Degree, never planned to study gender and war. However, a series of unexpected obstacles early in her career forced her to rethink her approach and ignited a passion for uncovering overlooked narratives—one that continues to fuel her work today.

“I love telling my students how I started this work because my entire career is an exercise in serendipity and mistakes,” she said.

From Serendipity to Passion

Dr. Matfess, who has taught at Korbel since 2021 and is an affiliate of the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, examines how women mobilize for war globally with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. She looks at what they do in non-state armed groups, “which is a clunky academic term,” she explained, “for any group that’s not ‘official’ state military.” Her work explores why women join these groups, their roles, and their personal experiences within them.

“When I was getting my master's degree, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant tracking political or social violence in Nigeria,” she said. When she arrived to study Boko Haram, Dr. Matfess found that she couldn’t access the armed men at the heart of the conflict. “I was ambitious enough to think I’d get to the bottom of Boko Haram as a 20-something. Turns out, insurgencies are very good at staying hidden. I was really frustrated that I couldn't sit down with the people that I thought were at the heart of the war, which would be armed young men my age or younger.”

Fortunately for Dr. Matfess, what started as a roadblock became an opportunity that would shape the course of her work for years to come.

“Through other activists, practitioners, and academics, I landed interviews in displacement camps and with people who fled the crisis. Mostly women. Really embarrassingly, I treated them like a consolation prize at first, but they revealed conflict dynamics that I didn't see reflected in any of the narratives around Boko Haram. From then on, I became obsessed with shedding light on this under-explored dynamic of how armed groups function.”

Bringing Women’s Experiences from the Margins into the Light

Much of Dr. Matfess's research feels like assembling a puzzle with missing pieces. Alongside Associate Professor Meredith Loken, who teaches at the University of Amsterdam, she built the Women’s Activities in Armed Rebellion (WAAR) Dataset—tracking women’s roles across more than 350 rebel groups worldwide. The challenge? “Women’s experiences are often tucked away in offhand comments or footnotes, if they’re mentioned at all. It can be hard to track them down.”

Women’s experiences reveal how policymakers need to respond to crises and how counterinsurgency responses should adapt. “Bringing women’s experiences from the margins into the light — that’s the work. It’s essential to understanding not only conflict itself but also how we build more effective policies for peace.”

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Honoring Women's Stories in March and Beyond

For Dr. Matfess, Women’s History Month has been less about grand gestures and more about reaffirming why her work matters daily. “It’s a reminder of the power of global women’s networks, activism, and what’s possible when we center gender in building political movements and communities of care,” she said.

Her perspective is a call to action—one that acknowledges both progress and persistent challenges. As she points out, “We’re living through a backlash moment on gender equality, and it’s exhausting. We need to rebrand more inclusive institutions as meritocracies because that’s what they’ve always been. It’s not about political correctness. The best person for the job only emerges when the playing field is actually level.”

Dr. Matfess brings this same urgency and dedication into the classroom. As degree director for International Security, she prepares her students for careers ranging from defense and intelligence to advocacy and policy analysis, emphasizing that security extends beyond military might to include human security, gender justice, and economic stability.

Her students, in turn, fuel her optimism. “They care so much about the world, and they challenge me every day with fresh questions and new perspectives.” Their passion and curiosity reflect the change Women’s History Month and work like hers seek to inspire—not just in March, but every day. To learn more about Dr. Matfess's work, visit her website here.

Women’s History Month is a moment to reflect not only on women’s achievements but also on the untold stories of women whose experiences are often pushed to the margins—including those in conflict zones. To learn more, visit the official Women’s History Month website, or check out Korbel's initiatives through our Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative (IGLI).

For former US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley (pictured above, to the left), the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) reaffirmed that she belonged in International Affairs. “ICAP provided the first gathering of foreign policy practitioners where I was not the ‘only’ in the room,” she said. “That gave me the ability to stop questioning my ‘appropriateness’ and focus on the mission at hand. It was key to my success in the field and raised my game as a proud American public servant.”

This Black History Month, the Korbel School honors the resilience, achievements, and lasting contributions that Black professionals have had on our culture, economy, and society. These influences have been profound for International Affairs and Public Policy — from embassies and classrooms around the world to grassroots organizers in our local communities. Founded by former Korbel Dean Dr. Tom Rowe, the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP) has helped Black professionals in government, nonprofits, and the private sector navigate career advancement for nearly thirty years.

ICAP empowers Black leaders to drive meaningful change and achieve excellence in their fields through mentorship, policy discussions, and professional development. The program has been recognized by the US Congressional legislation and the Global Diversity List for its impact on diversity in leadership, and has a network of 900+ alumni who have ascended to senior roles, including US Ambassadors, executive directors, and CEOs.

ICAP’s impact is best seen through the success of its fellows. Latanya Mapp, President and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), shares how the program helped shape her career:

“Since my time at the Aspen Institute more than 20 years ago, the ICAP network has allowed me to understand and experience international affairs as a career professional moving from the UN to the US Foreign Service with USAID, to social justice NGOs and funds. I've left no stone unturned, and I am still going. I would not have the courage to use my voice without this amazing network and the power that comes with it.”

As we honor Black history, resilience, and progress during Black History Month and beyond, it is essential to recognize and support programs that create lasting opportunities for underrepresented communities. ICAP has long been a vital resource for advancing fair representation and inclusive leadership in international affairs and public policy. By fostering a strong network of professionals dedicated to meaningful change, the program continues to empower the next generation of leaders. To learn more about ICAP and its impact, or to apply to the 2025 cohort, contact Program Director Dr. Tom Rowe at [email protected] and Program Coordinator Angela Martinez at [email protected].

To learn more about how we celebrated Black History Month this year at the University of Denver, click here.

Studying abroad at the Korbel School isn’t just about hitting the books in a different country. It’s about creating opportunities for students to immerse themselves in new cultures, network with global leaders, and dare to redefine their futures. The month between the Fall and Winter Quarters — called “Winter Interterm” — is a chance for Korbel students to embrace these experiences.

This year, graduate and undergraduate students took three separate faculty-led academic trips to Kenya, Colombia, and the Balkans.

Researching Green Energy in Kenya 

For Grecia Castel, a first-year Global Economic Affairs MA student, the study abroad program in Nairobi, Kenya was a deep dive into her passion for sustainability and green energy. “I got to research what I was passionate about while also talking to locals about real-world issues,” Grecia said.

Assistant Professor Singumbe Muyeba and Postdoctoral Research Assistant Abigail Kabandula led the trip in collaboration with faculty from the University of Nairobi’s Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. Dr. Muyeba and Dr. Kabandula supplemented these lessons with research activities across the city, bringing students to United Nations offices and the Parliament of Kenya to experience Kenya’s green energy transition first-hand. “I learned how representatives write environmental law into the Constitution,” Grecia said.

Alongside their studies, there was time to explore the African countryside, too. “We got to see some lions in the middle of a hunt, and they even used the tourist vehicles to get closer to their prey. Everyone was quiet, and it was really interesting to watch and wait. It felt like National Geographic in real life,” Grecia said.

Connecting with Leaders in the Balkans 

Teaching Associate Professor Keith Gehring led a group of undergraduates to the Balkans. “Dr. Gehring’s enthusiasm was contagious,” Micah DenBraber said, a junior majoring in International Affairs. “Whether we were meeting with local politicians or just walking the streets, he made everything feel incredibly relevant and personal.”

The group’s itinerary included lectures at the University of Osijek, oral histories on pivotal events like the siege of Vukovar, visits to Parliamentary Assemblies in Belgrade and Sarajevo, and meetings with Serbian and US ambassadors. The trip was grounded in experiences with locals across the Balkans, ranging from personal accounts of local conflict to lectures about diplomatic relations.

“The opportunity helped me understand how leaders relate to their people and what a dysfunctional nation-state looks like,” Micah said. “We talked to politicians, including Marina Raguš, a Serbian parliamentarian, and even attended a lecture from the chair of the Serbian Parliament’s foreign affairs committee in the actual parliamentary hall. That was really cool.” Alongside his studies, Micah shared how life-changing it was to spend mornings in a city like Sarajevo. “I’d wake up to the call to prayer echoing across the city. From my hotel room, I had an amazing view of all the minarets lit up at twilight. It was something I’ll never forget.”

A Career Epiphany in Colombia 

“I always pictured myself as an intelligence analyst,” Helen Lee, a first-year International Security MA student, shares. “But after this trip, I realized I might actually want a career where I can travel, engage with people, and be on the ground. That was a huge shift for me.”

Associate Professor Oliver Kaplan and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Affairs Lewis Griffith accompanied students to Colombia, where they toured Bogotá and engaged in meaningful conversations with government officials at the University of the Andes. They also traveled to Zipacón, a region famous for coffee cultivation, hearing from organizers about sustainability in the area. Students interviewed locals to hear what political advocacy looked like from people on the ground.

And for Helen, a simple late-night conversation in a hammock with a fellow student turned into an unforgettable bonding experience. “We stayed up until 3:30 in the morning, just talking about everything—life, career goals, travel. You build these relationships that you wouldn’t have in a normal classroom setting.”

Take the Leap 

One thing all three students agreed on: spending December abroad was worth it. “Since this is only a two-year program,” Helen said, “I didn’t want to miss too much of my time here. So when I saw that there was a Winter Interterm program, I thought, ‘perfect!’”

Micah says that even the Winter Interterm application process at Korbel incentivized travel. “Applying was super easy. I wasn’t nervous because I knew it was a great fit. If you’re applying for a trip and don’t know much about the host location, that is totally fine. You come to Korbel for opportunities like this. Not every school has experts with such incredible networks and first-hand experience. You can’t put a price on that.”

All three students emphasized how invaluable traveling with peers in their cohort was. “It’s a unique experience you’re all sharing at the same time,” Grecia said, “so you get to know each other very well and very quickly.”

To learn more about earning a degree at the Korbel school, contact us here.

The University of Denver has awarded the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies the prestigious designation of "Institute status," recognizing its research excellence and its critical contributions to addressing today’s most pressing policy challenges. Established in 2018 through a transformative $14 million gift from Doug and Mary Scrivner, the Institute has become a leader in interdisciplinary research, civil discourse, and community engagement on local to global public policy issues.

Under the leadership of Professor and Director Dr. Naazneen Barma, the Scrivner Institute has seen remarkable growth, expanding its faculty and partnerships, more than doubling research funding, and producing numerous publications and policy reports. It has also developed innovative initiatives like the Colorado Project, Denver Dialogues, and Scrivner Policy Roundtables. “This recognition from the University is testament to the exceptional work of our faculty and staff and the Institute’s commitment to fostering meaningful policy research and dialogue at local, national, and global levels,” said Dr. Barma.

Fritz Mayer, Dean of the Josef Korbel School, praised the milestone: “The Scrivner Institute exemplifies what it means to be a hub for actionable, collaborative, and innovative public policy research. We are excited to see how its new Institute status will further elevate its impact.”

Learn more about the Scrivner Institute and its groundbreaking work at korbel.du.edu/scrivner.