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.

Making career moves while serving in the U.S. military can be tricky. “A lot of people still do it,” says Daniel Doerr, a Veteran and alumnus of the Korbel School, “even though you could be deployed and pulled away from your degree at a moment's notice. But graduate school at Korbel was worth it.”

Military service is something that appealed to Daniel from a young age. There were Veterans and active military personnel in his family, and moments like the September 11th attacks compelled him to join once he was an adult. “It’s always been about protecting people for me,” Daniel says. “That’s been a huge driving force in my life.” He began his military career in Fort Benning in Georgia — now known as Fort Moore. After deployments while on active duty in Afghanistan and again while in the Reserves to the South Pacific, he took a quick pivot to medical sales. After a break from the military, he relocated to Colorado, where he would soon re-enlist and serve at Fort Carson.

Through peers in the Denver area, he heard about the Korbel School and its expertise in security. It was an easy decision to enroll, even though he knew his military service would always come first. Thankfully, circumstances allowed him to pursue his degree uninterrupted.

Daniel graduated with his M.A in International Security in 2022, the same year his military service ended. His career trajectory has been unconventional. He’s stepped away from planned career paths for personal matters and has shifted focus once or twice. When prompted to give advice to others considering graduate school while mid-career, Daniel says to just go for it: “It was a really rewarding experience. I found community at Korbel, but since I was older and already established in Denver, I had community outside of school, too. I was similar in age to a few of my professors and had life experiences they didn’t. My professors felt like peers — peers who taught me a lot along the way.”

As an officer in the military, Daniel spent his time at Korbel side-by-side with students who had served in completely different capacities. “A good example is my peers coming in from the Peace Corps,” he says. “On the surface, the Peace Corps and the Army are diametrically opposed in their approach to foreign affairs. But we approached things with an open mind, and I’m proud of my friends in the Peace Corps and me for creating a space for open and safe dialogue. We ended up having excellent conversations about some difficult subjects, and in the end, I now approach security from a more well-rounded standpoint.”

For Daniel, Veterans Day can be challenging. “It’s a time to reflect on my own combat experiences, both positive and negative,” he says. “It tends to be somber as I think of the friends that I’ve lost, much like Memorial Day. But it’s a day to embrace the feelings and emotions that I carry with me, and also a day to pay homage to all those who’ve served. If I’m honest, it’s also a day to pat myself on the back, thinking how wild of a ride it was and how much I learned through it all.”

Daniel is currently a Physical and Digital Security Advisor for RedBag Inc. He works toward providing safety and security for K-12 school teachers, allowing him to continue protecting others as he did in the military. His security experiences — both in the Army and at Korbel — have given him unique perspectives that help him improve the safety of kids at school.

The Josef Korbel School of International Studies is now partnering with the William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship (Clark DS) to complete graduate degrees at Korbel. The Clarke DS Fellowship, funded by the US Department of State and administered by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC), aims to recruit underrepresented minorities and women into the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Clarke DS Fellows receive two years of funding to pursue graduate degrees that enable careers with the DSS. The Korbel School joins the Department of State by offering additional benefits to Clarke DS fellows:

• A $65 application fee waiver
• Scholarships of up to 40% of the annual Korbel tuition, supplementing funding by the Clarke DS Fellowship tuition assistance
• A deposit fee waiver of $500
• Scholarships to cover the required health insurance fee

“The Korbel School has a long history of connecting our students with careers in government agencies like the US Department of State. I am thrilled to join them in diversifying government work with the Clarke DS Fellowship. The Korbel School has always worked hard to remove barriers for talented leaders and scholars to pursue careers in International Affairs.” – Dean Fritz Mayer

Through the Clarke DS Fellowship, eligible graduate students can embark on a career path that takes them around the world, where they work to protect US personnel, facilities, and information, all while supporting diplomacy. By partnering with the US Department of State to further ease the financial burden of a graduate degree, the Korbel School continues its commitment to training the next generation of diverse, talented leaders in International Affairs.

“The Clarke DS Fellowship aims to attract qualified candidates to the Diplomatic Security Service who represent the diversity of the United States,” says Shannan Spisak, Executive Director of Federal Initiatives for The Washington Center. “The generous scholarships offered by the Korbel School provide Clarke DS Fellows the opportunity to enroll in a master’s degree program they otherwise may not have been able to afford.”

The Korbel School will enable Clarke DS Fellows to earn a master’s degree in any one of the following programs:

• Global Economic Affairs
• Global Environmental Sustainability
• International Development
• International Human Rights
• International Security
• International Studies
• Public Policy

The MA and MPP programs at the Korbel School require 60 credits and two academic years of full-time enrollment. To apply to our programs, follow this link.

About The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars

The Washington Center creates flexible, immersive pathways to enhance the pipeline of diverse talent that build more equitable, inclusive workplaces and communities. Since our founding, we’ve helped more than 60,000 young people translate their college majors into career paths. We use our scale and expertise to customize each learner’s experience to be truly transformative.

About the Josef Korbel School of International Studies

The Korbel School at the University of Denver is the 12th-ranked program in the world to earn a master’s program in International Relations and the 20th-best place to pursue an undergraduate in International Studies by Foreign Policy. The Korbel School offers flexible undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs, allowing students to build skills to solve real-world challenges.

Tom Rowe, a lifelong advocate of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), received the Korbel Lifetime Achievement Award this year at our annual Korbel Honors—a fitting tribute to his extensive work in the field. As the founder and director of the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), Rowe has dedicated the past twenty-seven years to supporting mid-career professionals from marginalized communities and over 40 years to the Korbel School.

Rowe's commitment to advocacy stems from his upbringing in Michigan, near Detroit and Ann Arbor, where his politically active family and their opposition to racism influenced him. "I grew up in and around Detroit," says Rowe, "raised by parents who were very active in the union movement and the opposition to Henry Ford, who was a racist and antisemitic. My father was also a Quaker, and I remember attending many meetings in Ann Arbor, discussing human rights and peace studies." After he graduated high school, Rowe attended the University of Michigan and pursued his PhD/MA at Berkeley.

His career path took an unexpected turn when his dissertation supervisor at Berkeley informed him about a teaching position in Connecticut, where he could work on his dissertation. While in Connecticut, Rowe also received a call from Josef Korbel, who was seeking an assistant dean. Although Rowe did not take the position then, this was his first contact with the Korbel School.

Rowe's activism against the Vietnam War created challenges in Connecticut, prompting his move to Virginia. After confronting issues of gender inequality in Virginia, he finally made his way to Denver in the mid-1970s. At the Korbel School, during many years as Associate Dean and then Dean of the School, Rowe made a special effort to recruit students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions. Despite his success, he grew frustrated with the limited opportunities for credentialed Korbel School alums from underrepresented groups. Recognizing this gap and after several attempts to address it through existing channels, Rowe took the initiative to found ICAP in 1996, with funding from the Mellon Foundation. He was assisted in this by his wife, Emita Samuels, a former Director of Student Affairs at Korbel.

ICAP provides a comprehensive support network, including leadership training, career advising, mentorship, and policy analysis resources. It empowers professionals from underrepresented groups, with over 800 alums, including prominent figures such as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officers of the US Department of State and leaders of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Texas ACLU, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and PepsiCo Foundation. The program's reach is far and wide, and its origin was creating a community for professionals to tackle issues like racism, ethnocentrism, and misogyny.

Each year, ICAP hosts its capstone program at Aspen Meadows Resort/Home of the Aspen Institute. The retreat allows participants to focus on personal and professional growth, career development, and broad policy issues. "My wife and I drove through the mountains looking for a place where people could step away from their daily lives," Rowe reflects, "focusing instead on themselves and each other."

Though Rowe is proud of ICAP's reach so far, he understands that commitment to programs like these is even more existential for marginalized communities in the years to come. "Issues of equity & inclusion have become politicized and controversial," Rowe says, "which is unfortunate because DEIB is about improving the quality of leadership and of folks' lives. It's ensuring that all talent of all populations in the United States is represented."

On the other hand, when Rowe gets discouraged, he thinks about how far we've come. "There really has been progress, and we will deal with this new backlash. We'll each step forward and renew our efforts. We may change some vocabulary and evolve, but we keep working. That's what we do."

To learn more about ICAP, you can check out its website here.

For alumnus Stephanie Trejo, the Korbel School quickly became a home that welcomed all aspects of her journey: her non-linear career path and her identity as a Latina woman, to name a few. Before Korbel, Stephanie wasn’t sure how to make her dream career possible. “Now, I’m finally doing it,” she says, “I have a career in International Trade. But for the longest time, I never had mentors or someone that could direct me to the right path to get where I am now.” Ultimately, Stephanie's leap of faith when she moved to Denver offered her the perfect path to a career in Washington, D.C.

Stephanie graduated in 2023 with her master’s in Global Economic Affairs, and while at the Korbel School, she worked as an Employer Outreach & Events Coordinator. She also landed positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission as a graduate student. Stephanie explains that these incredible opportunities were only possible after faculty and staff encouraged her to embrace her non-linear background, rather than seeing it as an obstacle. “At first, I was intimidated by a lot of my classmates,” she says. “They had really impressive internships and really impressive job experiences. My experience was not very linear.”

Originally, Stephanie graduated with a degree in Philosophy from the University of El Paso, Texas, and wanted to be a teacher. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she wanted to do something different and took the chance to finally explore careers in International Trade. After finding the Korbel School and moving to Denver, she quickly found support in her Global Economic Affairs community. “It’s a great program,” she says, “There were times when it was hard to navigate a new career or new life step, so the support that Korbel provided — that helped me feel included — was really great.” At first, working with so many talented faculty and students felt intimidating, but her mentors encouraged her to move past that. “That’s one thing I love about Professor Ilene Grabel. She always gave you the opportunity to speak, and she was always engaged in what you wanted to say.”

Stephanie’s career counselor also helped her see that many of the Korbel School’s most successful students and alumni had non-traditional paths, too. Once Stephanie discovered the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), everything clicked. ICAP is a mid-career, professional development program designed to bring greater diversity to senior management and policy making positions in International Affairs. Their annual, two week-long seminar in Aspen is a cornerstone event for many leaders in the industry seeking community, and Stephanie got to take part as a Program Manager supporting the event. “Up in Aspen,” she says, “they talk about career development, career history, and all their journeys in the government." For Stephanie, this experience helped her form invaluable connections to pursuing her career in International Affairs. “Sometimes, as a woman of color, a Latina, it is really hard to find good mentors, especially those who work in the government.”

When asked about Hispanic Heritage Month, Stephanie maintained the importance of community and celebrating each other’s accomplishments. "Anyone can achieve their goals with hard work and perseverance," she says, and for Stephanie, prioritizing strong connections with mentors and following their advice is one of the most important parts of the journey. "Mentees, treasure your mentors along the way, really make sure to value that connection. Treasure it because that will take you so far. Sometimes, there are a lot of obstacles, even though the world is changing for people of color, especially women. But having this month to recognize us and our hard work is really cool, because I feel like we are seen, we are heard, and we are recognized.”

Stephanie currently works as an International Trade Analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and she plans to apply to be an ICAP fellow once she meets their mid-career benchmark. To learn more about ICAP, you can check out their website here.

For current graduate student Alejandro Chavez, connecting his career with a sense of community and belonging is one of his biggest priorities. “My identity has always led me to be passionate about issues of immigration, economic opportunity, and education for the Latino community,” he says. As the Korbel School celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Alejandro’s experiences as a graduate student, dance troupe member, and advocate for migrant communities.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Alejandro spent some time working for a non-profit in Denver. He would eventually return to the Korbel School to pursue his master’s in International Studies with a focus on Latin American Studies. He is also balancing a part-time job as an Employer Relation Assistant for the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) and coursework for his certificate in Public Diplomacy. Both give him experiences that cut across his major — whether with other faculty members or employers looking for International Studies and Policy students in the area.

“Coming to DU during my bachelor’s,” says Alejandro, “I had a narrow idea of how I wanted my career to pan out, which was very focused on the federal government. As I get older, I have this strong passion for my community and culture, and so cultural diplomacy feels like a very strong fit for how I want to see my career proceed.” Alejandro is one of many students at the Korbel School who take advantage of the flexible, diverse curriculum that helps graduate candidates discover new passions and reconnect with old ones. For Alejandro, working with Professor Rebecca Galemba and a non-profit called Centro de Los Trabajadores Colorado — the only day laborer center in Denver — was one of those pivotal turning points. Together, they helped create an integration program to benefit Venezuelan migrants who were newcomers to the state.

Beyond his advocacy through the Korbel School, Alejandro also partakes in local dance and theatre that celebrates the heart and soul of Mexican heritage. “Both my grandfathers are immigrants from Mexico, and both my grandmothers grew up in a small town in southwest Colorado,” he says. “Growing up here in Colorado myself, I was part of Folklórico groups as a child. I got reconnected to that community in 2021 through friends that were starting their dance company here in Colorado.” Alejandro is a dancer in ArtistiCO and has performed in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House — with future performances on the near horizon.

Even though Alejandro attributes many community connections to his time at DU, he acknowledges there is a long way to go. “I think there are definitely some moments when you feel that imposter syndrome seep in,” he says, “especially when you first arrive on DU's campus. Often, I see that I am the only person of Latino descent in the classroom. But in this specific graduate program, I was grateful to have a lot of international students and students of color in my cohort.”

Alejandro was recently selected to join the 2025 cohort for the Capitol Fellowship Program with the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy Research Organization, which provides public policy training to college students. His next ArtistiCO performances will be at the Gates Concert Hall on December 2nd & 3rd, titled Fiestas Navideñas. To reserve tickets, follow this link. To learn more about Alejandro’s journey and his relationship to Hispanic Heritage Month, follow this link for his full interview.

One of the Korbel School DEI committee’s biggest projects of the year was to combine two bodies of research that — despite often being siloed — have so much to offer each other. Current graduate student Alex Nelson led the project: a new database for the intersection of LGBTQ Studies and International Affairs, highlighting queer contributions in policy work, diplomacy, and research in International Studies. He sat down to share his experience as the project lead and to highlight the LGBTQ Zotero Database Project. 

During his first quarter at the Korbel School, a friend recommended Alex to the DEI Committee; now a second-year M.A. student in International Human Rights, Alex contributed to the committee in a very tangible and significant way by helping to compile the work of LGBTQ researchers in international relations. "As an advocate, you have to understand other perspectives to be effective," he says. "If you are better equipped to know about international LGBTQ issues, you can be a better diplomat." The decision to be part of the committee led to project management of the new research database. Alex quickly found, "a lot of LGBTQ Studies already delved deep into topics like Public Health and International Relations, illuminating certain experiences that other disciplines can't." The next step was finding those connections in pre-existing citations and bringing them together in a central location for reference.  

Alex uses Zotero, an open-source reference management software that compiles bibliographic data. From journals like Comparative Political Studies, Critical Africa Studies, and Review of Radical Political Economics, LGBTQ perspectives already exist in their studies, so bringing these articles into a Zotero database paves the way for future scholars to add to an LGBTQ and International Affairs canon. He is optimistic that the database will reach 300 articles and is already well on its way. Working closely with faculty at the Korbel School who have been involved from inception to launch, Alex regularly presents his findings, and faculty approve any new additions.  

Alex also discusses how Queer Theory – a subset of LGBTQ Studies – is difficult to find outside of Secondary Education and International Security. Scholars often laud queer theory as a useful critical tool for examining institutions, their influences, and imagining new possibilities. Though largely born from LGBTQ advocacy, Queer Theory has immense capacity on its own as a theoretical framework. "In International Relations," Alex says, "[Queer Theory] is not as present, even though it could have a lot to offer." In many ways, the Korbel School presents a perfect opportunity for Queer Theory to find a home in International Studies as an institution that champions the intersection of theory and practice. "Theory and practice are not mutually exclusive," Alex explains. "They can be different, but you put them in dialogue so they intersect in a way that is meaningful for students." 

Alex also thanked several contributors for their help with the project: Program Manager for the DEI Committee Kristen Noble, Professor Tamra d'Estrée, Teaching Professor Lynn Holland, and fellow graduate students Hasten, Prosper, and Koy. Whether it was a student sending him articles or faculty approval after a presentation, Alex cites the project as a collaborative effort. He plans to continue adding to the database next year and advocate for a "Men Engage" chapter on campus to promote healthy masculinity. 

You can find the link to the Zotero database here. 

Professor Rebecca Galemba defies expectations for what students gain from a methods course. Her qualitative research class prioritizes community-based learning, imparting research skills, and encouraging local connections that lead to politically engaged lives and careers.

The migrant crisis in Denver has escalated in recent years as asylum-seekers from South and Central America seek refuge in the United States. Many migrant families lack shelter and other essential resources as they await trials to claim asylum. After the Biden administration made a dedicated court docket to hasten cases for some asylum-seeking family units, the legal system in sanctuary cities like Denver has struggled to keep pace. Since 2020, student cohorts in Dr. Galemba’s class have watched hundreds of these court proceedings to research the consequences of Biden’s expedited docket.

Professor Galemba has always championed an applied approach to research, typically on topics of migration and labor. She says, “A lot of my methods course is about building community relationships, and even though students are with these projects briefly, I am the constant tying them quarter to quarter.”

Sami McKinsey is one of the student researchers. She’s pursuing her M.A. in International Human Rights and has worked with migrants and refugee populations before. She quickly became involved with the court watch project after starting as a research assistant for Professor Galemba in the summer of 2023. “Every judge that I’ve interacted with is just trying to help,” she says, describing some observations in the courtroom. “Most of these migrants are unrepresented. Judges may try to give them legal advice and walk them through the process, but their priority is to get through as many cases as possible.”

Ella Iveslatt is another court watch researcher who recently graduated from the Korbel School, double majoring in International Studies and Economics. She got involved as a data analyst for the project, and Ella has poured through hundreds of pages of notes from student observers and attended some proceedings herself. Similarly to Sami, Ella noted how the judge’s demeanor could make all the difference: “Different judges have different capacities and willingness to assist. Some judges will be more stand-offish. Others will know when they are doing something wrong and appreciate the accountability.” Ella noted that something as simple as submitting an official address can be a big hurdle for migrants, which became the focus of her honors’ thesis. “Migrants have to report their address separately to different branches of the immigration system, like ICE, the DHS, and immigration court. Language barriers may lead to mistranslation of addresses by government agents, and not having an accurate address on file can make all the difference in how a court case turns out.”

Sami and Ella both recounted their challenges as observers in the courtroom. There often wouldn’t be anywhere to sit, and migrants may look to them for advice or assistance. Ella described an experience when she played hide-and-seek with the daughter of a migrant family during a court proceeding: “Here I am studying these systems designed for her and her mother to fail, and I can’t really do anything about it right now. Even though I’m in this work to eventually change the system, there’s something difficult about feeling powerless to help these families today.”

Despite the challenging work, Sami and Ella are grateful for their experiences. Sami shared that the project granted her an invaluable perspective on the nature of International Studies, forever shaping her career trajectory. “Sometimes people at Korbel think that International Affairs means working outside the States,” Sami says, “but it’s here as well. And I think migration in the U.S. is often overlooked as a space for these studies.” Ella has now decided to pursue a career in immigration law and encourages other students to be bold when presented with opportunities like these. “Don’t underestimate yourself. There are so many opportunities for growth when you’re doing work like this. It can be a very scary process, but learning as I go has taught me more than I ever could in a classroom setting.”

Ultimately, Professor Galemba will steer the project toward completion. With multiple student-led projects worth of data (in addition to this one) and IRB applications to write every year, it can be a difficult process to sustain. Though Dr. Galemba maintains it’s all worth it in the end. “Students also learn about the immigration system,” she says. “Even students who are already critical about the system, this is the first time they experience what conditions are actually like for immigrants ostensibly getting their ‘day in court’. Yes, students are learning methods and how to partner with community organizations, but they are also learning about obstacles to immigrant justice alongside efforts to transform unjust systems.”

Professor Galemba hopes to write an article on her pedagogical approach to teaching methods. She also aims to pull data from the court watch project to live in a visual database for nonprofits and immigration advocacy networks. The DU Immigrant & Refugee Rights Colectivo houses many other student perspectives on this project and others through the DU Center for Immigration Policy & Research which she co-directs with Lisa Martinez (DU Sociology), showcasing the passion at DU for engaging with this important social issue. Many of her students have gone on to work in related fields; some even with partner organizations from the class.

At the Korbel School, our faculty connect students’ passions directly with their communities to allow for meaningful social change, personal growth, and educational opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. Professor Galemba sets a novel example of what engaged scholarship can look like at the graduate level.

In international affairs, the pursuit is to change the world. It is not merely a goal but a guiding principle that shapes the trajectory of individuals who aspire to make a lasting impact on the global stage. At the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, this commitment is celebrated annually at Korbel Honors through the Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA). This accolade pays tribute to an exceptional graduate who epitomizes vision, leadership, courage, and service, demonstrating remarkable contributions to their community, profession, and the world. This esteemed recipient champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, working tirelessly to create a brighter future.

The selection process for the Distinguished Alumni Award is rigorous and comprehensive. Nominees are evaluated based on their professional achievements, contributions to international relations, and commitment to promoting positive change in the world. Consideration for the esteemed recognition goes to alums who have excelled in diplomacy, public service, academia, non-profit work, and the private sector and their impact on the Korbel School.

The 2022 recipient, Anil Raj, embodied the promotion of positive change in the world, receiving the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award posthumously. He was a dedicated individual committed to global development, losing his life while working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Afghanistan on November 19, 2024.

While at the Korbel school, where he received his master’s in International Human Rights ('09) and a certificate in Humanitarian Assistance ('09), Raj was known as a humble yet lively student. Professor Tim Sisk nominated him for the Distinguished Alumni Award after advising him on his thesis and teaching him in many classes. Sisk described Raj as popular among his peers with a larger-than-life personality, and known as an overall great guy. He was an intelligent, charismatic student who kept the level of enthusiasm and engagement in class high. According to Sisk, Anil embodied what former Korbel School Dean Tom Farer described students as practical idealists. He had a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and action– a person who believed in lofty ideals or principles but also understood the importance of practicality to achieve them. This description is likely why Raj became involved in research on the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) of former military personnel back into communities, leading him to a UNDP career.

Anil's unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts and passion for making a positive difference in the world left an indelible mark on all who knew him. As a Management Specialist for the UNDP, he made the ultimate sacrifice to advance peace and establish a legitimate government in Afghanistan. His invaluable contributions to the UNDP, particularly in regions facing significant challenges, exemplified his selflessness and commitment to serving others. Anil's legacy is a poignant reminder of the risks and sacrifices that courageous individuals like him undertake to achieve a better world. His spirit and impact will continue to inspire and guide those who carry on the vital work of humanitarian service at the Korbel School and beyond.

One of the hallmarks of the Distinguished Alumni Award is its ability to showcase the diverse and impactful ways graduates of the Josef Korbel School shape the future of international affairs. From ambassadors and policymakers to human rights advocates and social entrepreneurs, recipients of the award represent a broad spectrum of talents and expertise, united by their shared commitment to advancing peace, justice, and prosperity on a global scale. Their journeys testify to the limitless possibilities and the transformative power of a Josef Korbel education.

Last year's honoree, Claudia Fuentes Julio, Ph.D. ('14), was honored for her remarkable contributions to higher education, international diplomacy, and the inclusion of women in foreign policy decision-making. Lynn Holland, a dedicated faculty member with 18 years of service at the Josef Korbel School, nominated Fuentes Julio. Holland remarked that as a standout in her academic pursuits and a favorite among faculty and students, Claudia Fuentes Julio's journey from the classroom to the international stage is a testament to her unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence in international studies. When Holland conducted an external review at Chapman University in southern California, where Claudia taught, she saw firsthand the praise from students and colleagues alike for her expertise in politics, international relations, and diplomacy.

In 2022, Claudia Fuentes Julio's distinguished career took a new turn when she was appointed Chile's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In this role, she continues to champion the cause of disarmament, gender equality, and peacebuilding on the global stage, representing the values of the Josef Korbel School and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

As the school continues to nurture talent and leadership in international affairs, alums like Claudia Fuentes Julio and Anil Raj serve as beacons of hope and inspiration, demonstrating the transformative power of education, dedication, and service to humanity.

Beyond their individual accomplishments, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients serve as role models and mentors for current students and aspiring leaders at the Josef Korbel School, inspiring the next generation of global citizens to pursue excellence and make a meaningful difference.

As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, from climate change and global health crises to geopolitical tensions and humanitarian emergencies, the importance of nurturing talent and leadership in international affairs has never been greater. The Josef Korbel School of International Studies Distinguished Alumni Award reminds us of the hard work, dedication, and extraordinary contributions of graduates who positively impact and shape a more just, peaceful, and prosperous world for all.

For the past two decades, a question has driven Professor Marie Berry's research that haunted her even in childhood: "How do people survive, and even thrive, after war?" Professor Berry's years of activism and research on the impact of war on women are especially relevant during current global events. As the student writer at the Korbel School, I recently sat down with her to better understand how her research offers insight into the global armed conflicts we witness today.

Dr. Berry's research challenges the traditional narrative of women as passive victims in war. She highlights women's resilience and activism, even in the face of adversity. Her work underscores the dual reality of war, where trauma and hardships coexist with powerful triumphs of resistance. This nuanced perspective is a refreshing departure from the often bleak portrayal of global conflicts.

Over the past four years, Professor Berry has been working on an expansive, six-country research project titled the "Women's Rights After War Project," which focuses on Columbia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Iraq. Berry herself focuses most of her research on Columbia and Nepal, two countries that have recently gone through a civil war and progressed women's empowerment. Part of this, as Berry explains, stems from the fact that rebel fighters in Columbia and Nepal shared a leftist perspective on gender equality, and as a result of power sharing agreements between government actors and rebel leaders, the country integrated some of these perspectives post-war. Berry states that the core questions motivating the research and experimentation taking place in the project are, "Who is able to benefit from these women's empowerment initiatives in the aftermath of armed conflict, what does it take to empower women after war, and what are some of the barriers to women's empowerment?" The project was designed to have a feminist collective approach for the research, so many of the questions being asked were originally created by women in the areas of conflict themselves. Berry adds that part of this project's experimentation lies in the belief that knowledge can be stored and conveyed through different mediums. With this in mind, the project has done extensive work with local artists of the regions — studying and transferring the artwork into a digital archive for study. Through years of research, Berry and her team (including her co-lead on the project, Milli Lake, from the London School of Economics) have found substantial evidence that war can act as a catalyst to thrust activism for gender rights into fruition. Berry concludes by emphasizing the importance of working with grassroots and community-led organizations for women's empowerment, especially in areas of political unrest.

From May 1-3, 2024, Berry will host the Feminist Peace Summit in Denver, which will bring many of these topics and themes to our community. The three-day event will invite leaders in the feminist and anti-war movements to discuss issues in international policy surrounding armed conflict. As Berry explains, this summit aims to "convene students, community members, policymakers, philanthropists, activists, academics and more to try to catalyze a strong anti-war, anti-militarist approach to feminist foreign policy." Dr. Berry is collaborating with colleagues at the organizations Madre, Women Cross DMZ, and Grassroots Global Justice Alliance to host this Summit, which will be unique by virtue of its emphasis on bringing anti-war movements and feminist movements together. Berry says the event is structured to be discussion-heavy with breakout groups so that attendees can engage with their local communities.

My conversation with Professor Berry shows that her work expands far from purely academic— activism is at the core of her endeavors. Her involvement with numerous groups on campus that work towards global women’s leadership is shaping how the Korbel School progresses and heightens its academic standards.