Korbel ranked 12th best place in the world to earn a master’s degree in international relations.
Korbel ranked 20th in the world for the best undergraduate degree in international studies.
Korbel ranked 12th best place in the world to earn a master’s degree in international relations.
Korbel ranked 20th in the world for the best undergraduate degree in international studies.
I attended DU from 2015-2017. I chose the MPP program at DU after spending a few years working on political campaigns and deciding to go back to school. I knew I wanted to continue to work in politics, and after some time working at the Colorado General Assembly, I decided that public policy was of more interest to me than electoral politics. Having grown up in Denver, I knew that DU offered both a great education and the opportunity to continue to work in Colorado Politics while I went to graduate school.
While considering whether to stay in Colorado and attend DU or go to school on the east coast, I was fortunate enough to have two meetings that altered the course of my life: One with former Colorado Governor Dick Lamm, and one with former US Senator Alan Simpson. Both men spoke to me about what it means to be a proud Westerner – and how there is something said about trying to make the place I call home just a little bit better. That convinced me even further that DU was the right place for me.
Upon exiting the campaign world in 2015, I decided to pursue other endeavors in the world of politics, including two years at the Colorado General Assembly working for former Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno (Assistant House Majority Leader at the time) and earning a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver in 2017.
In 2015, I launched a Denver-based political consulting firm, L&B Strategies LLC. My business partner and I built a successful firm and represented a broad base of clientele from both the private and public sector, conducting in-depth research on technical issues and coordinating successful candidate/issue campaigns across Colorado.
Upon graduating from DU, I spent four and a half years working for Adams County as the senior advisor of government affairs in the county managers office, working with state legislators and congressional members to advocate for critical policy issues. I was able to help with numerous important projects that moved the region forward, such as helping the county gain the 11th commercial spaceport license awarded by the FAA for Colorado Air and Space Port.
Immediately prior to joining the [Denver Mayor Mike] Johnston Administration, I oversaw the government affairs activities and strategies for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Denver EDC as the vice president of government affairs. I managed the government affairs department, overseeing all political activities of the Chamber/EDC at the local, state, and federal level.
The MPP program taught me the skills and knowledge to apply critical thinking and necessary analytical skills to matters of public policy. Public policy is rarely black and white, and policy choices impact different levels of government in unique ways - leading to ripple-effects on the public. Being able to see the "whole picture" is vital to changing outcomes.
Two of my favorite classes were Analytical and Critical Analysis with Professor Salucci, as well as Cost Benefit Analysis with Professor Sherbo. Learning the skills and tools needed to fully consider a piece of legislation or policy was critical to my professional development and future career. There are always costs to public policy – whether measurable or more abstract. Being able to understand both cost-benefit considerations and the logic behind policy choices help you understand why policymakers make the decision they do. In an ideal world – policy choices would be driven wholly by the heart. In reality – they are largely driven by the head (and cost).
I was working multiple jobs during my time at DU. I graduated from CU Boulder in 2013 and spent a couple years working on campaigns. But I really enjoyed my cohort of students and the outside programming the Korbel School offered.
Find your passion and learn your “why.” Politics can be a grueling industry that is prone to a lot of cynicism. I would encourage you to spend time really thinking about why this work is important to you.
I firmly believe that public policy is the best way to improve the lives of those most in need. And while my career has ebbed and flowed around private and public policy work, it is truly an honor to be back in the public sector working for the city I was born and raised in and continue to call home.
It is always important to remind ourselves that work is not life. Or as they say, “Work to live, not live to work.”
On a personal level, I got sober in 2022 and it has been the greatest reminder that it is important to live our lives and take care of ourselves. Sobriety has allowed me to connect in a more authentic way – as a partner, friend, son, employee, and human. Part of my work in life is to openly talk about addiction, recovery, and mental health. The only way we can overcome the stigma around these issues is if we talk about and normalize these conversations.
Work will always be there – but life happens really fast. As you think about working in politics, or any work for that matter, remember to be kind. There is a lot of cruelness in the world – and we could use more kind people working on public policy that benefits the greater good. I believe you can make the world a better place.
I chose the MPP program because I wanted a more technical, skills-based degree but with an international scope. The MPP’s placement within the Korbel school allowed me to do just that.
I took a class called Electoral Integrity with Professor Timothy Sisk, which included professionals from organizations like International IDEA, IFES, and the Carter Center. This class opened my eyes to how top experts addressed key elections challenges, as well as where these organizations were focusing their efforts. I really appreciated the perspectives of long-term monitoring, evaluation, and learning to understand which assumptions about election monitoring were wrong, and how we can use systematic reporting to learn from this and improve programming in the future.
I recently started a new role as a Program Officer with the International Republican Institute. The most important way Korbel helped prepare me for this role is the overall exposure to the key conversations that are occurring within these international spaces, and understanding which organizations are developing materials to define and attempt to solve some of these challenges. The classes also helped fill in some of the technical gaps to best understand the statistics, surveying methods, and metrics that go into these types of reports.
I supported the Social Movement Support Lab through the law school over the interim summer. During this program, I volunteered with law students to analyze city and county budgets for clients who were focused on improving community-focused funding, holding police departments accountable, and ending the school-to-prison pipeline. This was an incredible experience for seeing how widely useful and applicable the skills you receive from an MPP degree can be.
I had multiple internships during my time at DU, but the most informative was my time with the National Endowment for Democracy. I participated in the Korbel@DC program, where I spent the fall semester of my second year in Washington, DC. I took classes at Syracuse’s Maxwell School at night, and during the day I helped with the Sharp Power Portal. The Portal is a research tool for analyzing foreign use of soft power for malign purposes, such as purchasing soccer teams for “reputation laundering” or purchasing stock in Hollywood production companies to prevent films from straying from the party line. The experience and networking within the organization was incredibly helpful for finding a position after graduation.
My policy memo focused on assessing U.S. foreign democracy support tools to see which may be of use in a domestic setting. I amalgamated findings from reports like Freedom House’s Freedom in the World Report, International IDEA’s Global State of Democracy, etc. as well as OAS and OSCE elections monitoring reports to understand the challenges to U.S. democracy, and then compared these to the types of tools that the U.S. uses within the foreign policy sphere to combat these same challenges. This scope was more than recommended, but the background research was eye-opening for understanding the structures of U.S. democracy promotion. I, of course, did not find all the answers, but I have now entered this industry to continue learning lessons that I hope I can use when I pivot back to the domestic sphere later in my career.
While supporting the Denver Democracy Summit I supported building briefing materials for the moderators. I performed background research on the panelists, and used this to draft questions for the moderators that would intentionally relate to multiple panelists and create conversation among common themes. It was a great experience for understanding how programs like the DDS are developed, as well as understanding how much background work goes into making sure these conversations are fruitful for participants and viewers.
Enjoy building bonds within the MPP cohort and with the other programs as well. The MPP program is unique in that students enter with a wide variety of interests and experiences. Some MPP students tend to take classes that overlap heavily with other degree programs at Korbel, which gave students the opportunity to operate within multiple spheres and better connect across more of the school.
Many Korbel alumni move to Washington, DC after graduation. I highly recommend participating in the Korbel@DC program if you are interested in working in DC, and networking with the alumni during the program. It is a small city, and you might just wind up living down the street from some of your friends from your time at DU!
“A great daughter of DU.”
That’s how Condoleezza Rice, University of Denver alumna and former secretary of state, described the late Madeleine Albright, who blazed a trail for Rice and other women in government as the United States’ first female secretary of state.
At DU’s Korbel Honors program last week, the University of Denver posthumously honored Albright with the Josef Korbel Award. Rice’s video tribute to Albright came alongside another reverent testament to Albright’s legacy from the only other female former secretary, Hillary Clinton.
Clinton, Rice and other speakers—including Albright’s daughter, Alice Patterson Albright—spoke at length about Albright’s ties to DU through her father, Josef Korbel, a Czech American diplomat and the founder of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
Rice shared a story about how she first connected with Albright while Michael Dukakis was running for office in Massachusetts. Albright called Rice and asked if she’d be interested in advising on foreign policy for the Dukakis campaign.
“I paused. There was, frankly, a long pause,” Rice remembers. “And I said, ‘Madeleine, I'm a Republican.’ [Albright] kind of shrieked. ‘How could that be? We have the same father!’
“We did have the same intellectual father, Josef Korbel. And I am so grateful that Madeleine and I were able to become friends and colleagues and do so much together.”
Clinton’s arrival on stage was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Whoops and cheers could be heard even as she sat down with Korbel School Dean Fritz Mayer.
Clinton recalled first hearing about Albright’s work during the political campaigns that Albright worked on—including the Dukakis campaign that Rice had remembered.
“I was so excited when I learned that she had gone to Wellesley—we’re both Wellesley College graduates—and that she was interested in policy and politics, as was I,” Clinton said.
She told the story of how she and her husband, then-President Bill Clinton, came to the decision that he should nominate Albright as the first female secretary of state.
“I thought her values were really in line with Bill’s from the very beginning, in part because of her own background,” Clinton said. “She understood the danger posed by the war in the Balkans and the aggression that was taking place there…. And so I was a strong advocate of Madeleine's nomination to become secretary of state and, luckily, my husband agreed.”
Albright’s ties to both Wellesley College and the University of Denver were also a focus of the evening. Korbel professor Rachel Epstein used the event to announce a new partnership between Wellesley and Korbel: the Wellesley-Korbel Albright Fellows Program, which will allow Wellesley undergraduate students to continue their education at Korbel with a one-year master’s program.
The first class of Wellesley-Korbel Albright fellows will arrive at DU in the fall of 2024.
At the conclusion of the evening, Alice Patterson Albright took to the stage to remember her mother. She recalled spending much of her childhood on and around the DU campus—even playing with her sisters at Observatory Park.
Patterson Albright stressed the immense impact that her grandparents, Josef and Mandula, had on her love for the United States and for diplomacy.
“My mom inherited her parents’ love and gratitude for America,” she said. “She felt deeply motivated to give back to the country that had given her family a chance to win freedom. The way that she chose to serve shaped by her most important teachers—[Grandpa] and Grandma—who instilled in her fierce convictions and values that she carried to her final days.”
The Korbel Honors event also recognized the accomplishments of an outstanding professor and a notable alumna.
Professor Singumbe Muyeba was awarded the Korbel Outstanding Teaching Award, while Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations Claudia Fuentes Julio was honored with the Korbel Distinguished Alumni Award.
Leaders of four prominent U.S. think tanks came together last week to take part in a discussion about civil discourse, diverse perspectives and the role of disagreement in a healthy democracy.
The event was the first of the University of Denver’s Denver Dialogues, a series of virtual conversations with experts from the American Enterprise Institute, Aspen Institute, Hoover Institution and New America meant to spark respectful and constructive conversations about world and national events.
University of Denver Chancellor Jeremy Haefner introduced the event by underscoring the importance of engaging authentically and respectfully when challenging evidence-based ideas and presented Denver Dialogues as a way to engage with complex topics as an academic community.
“Since my inauguration as Chancellor, I have committed the University of Denver to be a beacon for intellectual curiosity: for free speech, academic freedom and thought pluralism,” Haefner said. “We do this—and we affirm these values—because they are critical and central to the functioning of democracy.”
The conversation featured former U.S. Secretary of State and current Director of the Hoover Institution Condoleezza Rice, a well-known graduate of the University of Denver. Additional panelists included Robert Doar, president of the American Enterprise Institute; Dan Porterfield, president and CEO of Aspen Institute; and Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America.
Josef Korbel School of International Studies Dean Fritz Mayer and Scrivner Institute of Public Policy Director Naazneen Barma moderated the discussion.
Mayer initiated the discussion by commenting on the importance to democracy of everyone, including those whose political positions do not eventually prevail, accepting the results of referendums on those positions.
“It’s hard to think of a more important issue in this country and, indeed, around the world, than the deterioration of the civic culture on which democracy depends,” Mayer said. “A fundamental requirement of a democracy is that, while we may disagree vehemently about what is to be done, we accept the legitimacy of those with whom we disagree.”
Before opening the floor to the think tank leaders, Barma emphasized the purpose of Denver Dialogues: to model difficult yet respectful conversations about tough subjects for the DU and Denver communities.
“One of the Scrivner Institute’s central mandates is to serve as a hub for conversations on public policy and the collective good,” she said. “The Denver Dialogues will bring substantive policy conversations to our campus and our broader community, while modeling approaches to constructive debate.”
So, what is the nature of the problem when it comes to dwindling civility in public discourse?
Rice said it comes down to information echo chambers.
“We get our information in groups—affinity groups, which we feel very comfortable [in],” she said. “I can, today, go to my website, I can go to my aggregators, can go to my cable news channel. I never have to actually encounter anyone who thinks differently.”
Rice said the opening of hearts and minds to others’ points of view will allow civil discourse to blossom.
Slaughter echoed Rice’s negative view of hive-mind communication.
“Even if we were disposed to listen, we are not in spaces where we are being exposed to people who disagree with us, in a way that allows us to talk, rather than shout, or simply defend,” she said.
Slaughter offered up a valuable lesson: You can’t persuade unless you’re willing to be persuaded.
“And that means coming at any discourse, or dialogue, or conversation with an open enough mind to think, ‘I’m listening and I’m willing to change my mind,’” she said. “Maybe not my core principles, but I’m listening and willing to let you persuade me, and in return, you’re more likely to let me persuade you.”
The think tank leaders urged DU community members to see themselves not just as red or blue—to think about people as more than their policy stances.
Doar placed the blame for increasingly volatile conversations on the growing polarity of political parties.
“We’re retreating to our corners, and the fringes are dominating the dialogue—and the social media world exacerbates that by feeding into and promoting the most angry responses from people that participate in that,” he said.
“I would want to particularly compliment you guys at the University, because I believe part of the problem is on our college campuses … there hasn’t been sufficient viewpoint diversity, and there has been too much shutting down of people who say things that are contrary to the prevailing view,” Doar continued.
Dan Porterfield argued that the problem lies within the human spirit itself.
“We are the problem,” he said. “Because all humans have a tendency to gravitate toward what makes us comfortable or move away from what we fear. This is one of the things we all have to learn, in our schooling, in our family upbringing—how to deal with our vulnerability in such a way it doesn’t prevent us from engaging with others.”
For more information about Denver Dialogues and upcoming events, visit the series website here.
The Scrivner Institute has an incredible community of public policy faculty, students, alumni, and staff. We spoke with several members of our community to learn more about their experience in the public policy field and here at Scrivner and Korbel.
Dr. Ajenai Clemmons
Assistant Professor of Public Policy
1. What made you choose to take a faculty position affiliated with the Scrivner Institute and the MPP program?
Being part of the Scrivner Institute and the MPP Program is so exciting. I love public policy to my core and am an unapologetic policy nerd. At Scrivner, I’m able to help students understand how public policy is made and prepare them to lead public policymaking processes. Scrivner allows me to be immersed in an interdisciplinary culture that excels in teaching local and state policy while valuing their connection to federal policy and global trends. I graduated from the MPP program here at DU and used my degree every day in my work with lawmakers and lobbyists in Washington, D.C. In my role as a professor, I look forward to building on the rich preparation I received at DU that equipped me to make tough decisions and become a sought-after advisor to legislators across the country.
2. What classes do you teach?
I teach undergraduates and graduate students on the politics of the policymaking process. Here, students not only learn about the policymaking process but the elements of politics that shape and interact with policy. I will also teach courses on the criminal justice system, covering topics such as state violence, over-policing, mass incarceration, and immigration policy. All of my courses will center structural inequality and stratification, analyzing the ways in which groups are or can be treated differently in systematic ways that render cumulative advantage or disadvantage. Also, my courses will include an intersectional approach that compares and contrasts experiences by class, race and ethnicity, and gender. Finally, I will teach qualitative methods with an emphasis on in-depth interviewing. My courses are designed to help students recognize injustice and identify appropriate policy tools to carry out justice-based interventions.
3. What are your research interests/area(s) of expertise?
I am focused on police reform as well as the police-community relationship, and the most important factors that help or harm it. I study policing in democratic contexts, examining what marginalized groups experiencing disproportionate civilian crime and police misconduct need to be safe and feel safe. My current work examines young men’s experiences and policy preferences, comparing Black men in the U.S. to Muslim men of Bangladeshi descent in the U.K. My future projects will expand to women as well as members of economically distressed Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and White communities in urban and rural contexts. Beyond the U.S., I will continue to conduct research centering marginalized groups, such as Muslim and Roma communities in Europe, to formulate policy recommendations for reform.
4. What do you see as the most interesting dimensions of the Scrivner Institute and the MPP program?
Well, there’s certainly an embarrassment of riches here! I’m proud to be at a place where brilliant and caring people tackle real-world, complex problems head-on. Scrivner is about leading research that asks necessary questions and answers the call to confront society’s greatest challenges. We prepare future analysts and executives, legislators and bureaucrats, to form sound policy judgments. Scrivner is also uniquely positioned as a convener of scholars, government actors, grassroots organizations, civil society, and the private sector to exchange ideas. We desire to get at the root cause of issues to solve them, not distract ourselves with symptoms. We aim to co-create solutions with those most affected by policy violence—not ignore, not victim-blame, and not take over on their behalf.
5. Outside of class, what do you like to do for fun?
Karaoke. Seriously, the pandemic has ripped away my favorite hobby! On the flip side, though, I have been able to dramatically increase my nature walks and hikes, and take full advantage of this historically mild Colorado fall. My spouse and I have explored lots of mountainous parks and reservoirs. Also, our precocious five-year old nephew cracks us up, and we try to spend as much quality time with him (and the rest of our family and friends) as we can. Going to the movie theater and getting massages are also wonderful treats I look forward to! I don’t really go to church for the purpose of fun, but it’s always fulfilling.
6. Any fun facts or other information you would like to share?
A bit of a random fact is that I was the first woman in the state of Colorado to win a Golden Gloves boxing title when I was 18 years old, though my primary sports growing up were volleyball and track and field. I am from Colorado but have lived in Des Moines, Iowa; Washington, D.C.; and Durham, North Carolina (meaning I’ve lived in the Midwest, on the East Coast, and in the South). I also studied abroad in Central and South America (Xela, Guatemala and Santiago, Chile); taught English in Caracas, Venezuela; and lived in East London for six months during my doctoral studies. I’ve been so fortunate to travel to almost every state and territory in the U.S., the Caribbean, throughout Latin America, Southern Africa, and Europe. I can’t wait to travel more and visit my spouse’s homeland of Nigeria.
Tash Berwick
MPP, '22
Political Director, New Era Colorado
1. What made you choose the MPP program at DU?
I chose the MPP program at DU because of the practicum requirement. In my experience, you don’t really know what you are doing until you’ve gotten your hands dirty in the field. I’ve taken a lot of really great theory classes at DU and it has been interesting to see how they are applied (or not) working in a political environment with competing interests, short timelines and frankly - lots of emotion! Being able to explore theories and practice at the same time is a great gift.
2. What has been the most interesting class you’ve taken during the program?
Tough question. I am going to choose two:
One, I did an independent study on applying abolitionist theory to interpersonal violence policy in Colorado. The study made me reconcile with my own beliefs around policy making, the role of the state, community building and applied empathy.
Two, The Policy Lab! I learned SO MUCH about fiscal policy and honestly, I dig it. It made me realize that everything starts with the budget and our culture defines how it is spent rather than obvious (to me) need. I think fiscal policy is going to be super trendy as more progressive politicians build power.
3. What are your future career goals? How has the MPP program/Korbel helped prepare you for what you’re interested in pursuing?
I am looking forward to building powerful coalitions that will hold politicians accountable, end TABOR, secure access to safe abortions and ensure that Black, Latinx and Indigenous people are in positions of power in municipal and state government as the Political Director at New Era Colorado. The MPP gave me the tools to analyze the complex political climate in Colorado, and identify strategies to overcome those barriers. I am excited to use them in my new job!
4. Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, or jobs outside of your program? If so, what are you involved in?
I am currently working with Earthjustice and Denver City Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca to craft a community based, equity informed toxic carcinogen policy at the municipal level. I’m also working with GSSW PhD Student Rebecca Zimmerman (and a new Emerge Program participant!!) on coding, analyzing, writing and recommending IPV policies that are informed by survivor experiences.
5. Outside of class, what do you like to do for fun?
I can’t decide if it is fun or not but my husband and I are training for a half-marathon. I’ve never done anything like it before so we will see how it goes!
6. Any fun facts or other information you would like to share?
I was terrified to get into policy and politics. I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, who to talk to, what the language and codes were and what I had to offer. I admitted my fears to Ean Tafoya one day and he told me, “just be yourself. Own it. Say to the world this is me and this is what I think.” His advice meant a lot to me because he is such a force in the community and was honored that he thought I had something to offer. Every MPP major needs Ean’s advice. You’ve got this.
Daniel Wilkins
MPP '23
Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellow
1. What made you choose the MPP program at DU?
I chose the MPP program at Korbel for several reasons. First, I've lived in CO for 25 years, and so Korbel has always been on my radar. Additionally, Josef Korbel was a Czech diplomat, and having been born in the Czech Republic and still maintaining ties to family there, I always wanted to secretly attend Korbel so I can contribute to the history of the school in my own unique way. But what really drew me in was the freedom of the program. You're able to tailor your degree, policy emphasis, and even capstone project all based on whatever you're passionate about, and I think that's a super unique and holistic approach to a traditional MPP degree that may be more rigid in other schools.
2. What has been the most interesting class you’ve taken during the program?
I'd have to say PPOL 4500: "Cost-Benefit Analysis for Public Policy". While it's been the most mentally demanding course in this program so far, it's also the most rewarding for me. Each class I can see just how much data, budgets, and financial considerations go into the creation of even the most basic of policies; it's getting into the weeds of policy-making.
3. What are your future career goals? How has the MPP program/Korbel helped prepare you for what you’re interested in pursuing?
I hope to make the most of my dual citizenship to the Czech Republic by moving to Europe, and work in either the public or private sector helping to advance the decarbonization of transportation in the EU. I hope to make it back to the United States and Colorado in the future, bringing lessons and experience learned across the Atlantic back to advance decarbonization here as well.
4. Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, job outside of your program? If so, what are you involved in?
I'm currently also a Research Assistant at the Pardee Center for International Futures, serving on the Literature Review team.
5. Outside of class, what do you like to do for fun?
I've been a (very amateur) photographer for a little over 11 years now, and I love to take my camera on adventures, be it a mile away or a thousand. It helps to clear my mind and allows me to get creative with my surroundings. In the warmer months, I LOVE to get outdoors and do anything in nature, from camping to hiking and even rock climbing.
6. Any fun facts or other information you would like to share?
I'm excited to say I was selected to be an EDF Climate Corps Fellow for Summer 2022! I'll be spending the coming months working with the nonprofit Sustainable Jersey to advise municipalities and school districts within New Jersey on how to reduce energy use, increase efficiencies, and make a business case for sustainability.
Kelsie George
MPP '19
Policy Analyst, National Conference of State Legislatures
1. What made you choose the MPP program at DU?
Once I decided to pursue my Master of Public Policy degree, I narrowed my choices down to a handful -- some in Boston where I was living at the time, some in D.C. and Korbel. I ultimately chose DU for the faculty I already knew here from my previous job -- Dr. Jennifer Greenfield (Social Work) and Dr. Cecilia Orphan (Higher Education). While neither were based in Korbel, I knew I would be able to take classes outside the program and build my degree to meet my professional goals.
2. What were the most interesting classes you took during your program?
I took a class over December term where we met with people across Denver -- city planners, developers, reporters, former and current city council members, the mayor's office and more. It provided a head-first dive into the City and County of Denver and (re)ignited my passion for local government.
3. What are you doing now? How did your program/Korbel help prepare you for what you’re doing now?
I am a policy analyst within the health program at the National Conference of State Legislatures. I provide state legislators and legislative staff with research and state policy examples on health policy topics--like supportive housing, emergency medical services, health workforce and social determinants of health. I track legislation in several of NCSL's databases and write publications on health policy trends. I collaborate with NCSL staff to host events for our members, including NCSL's upcoming Legislative Summit.
I interned with NCSL's health program for a year before starting full-time on the same team. Through my internship, I became curious about health workforce topics and tailored my final policy memo to dive deeper. I built a great relationship with my supervisor at NCSL, Sydne, who served on my memo review committee and is now one of my colleagues.
My job requires many of the skills I learned through Korbel's MPP program, including researching and summarizing legislation, identifying and analyzing policy trends over time, understanding regulatory policy and more.
4. Were you involved in any clubs, organizations, jobs outside of your program? If so, what were you involved in?
I held several jobs during my time at Korbel with Denver Public Library (grant writing), Colorado Preservation Inc. (conference planning), the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (policy research) and the National Conference of State Legislatures, where I currently work. Each experience provided me with skills for the job I'm currently in, and helped me identify the type of position, team and organization I would thrive in.
5. What advice would you give to current MPP students?
Get to know your faculty! I wouldn't have made it through my MPP program without the incredible support, advocacy and mentoring from faculty, both within ) and outside of Korbel. They served as incredible role models of what it looks like to do brilliant and insightful research, but also to get it into the hands of decision-makers and individuals who are impacted most by policy decisions. I still stay in contact with several faculty today--which led to my white paper being published with the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges in 2021 and returning to Korbel for Career Conversations this year!
6. Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
All of my free time is spent with my dog, Bella. We like to go for long walks exploring all of Denver and finding new hikes around the state. I recently purchased a paddle board, so we will be spending as much time as possible on the water this summer.
Our staff is extremely grateful for the continued generosity of our founding supporter, Frederick S. Pardee. We are delighted to announce his most recent gift to our Center. Thank you, Fred!
Please read the official press release below.
DENVER—May 1, 2014—The Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies announced today the receipt of a $4 million gift from their namesake Frederick S. Pardee. The donation by Pardee is in support of the Center’s general endowment.
Pardee is an economist, businessman, and philanthropist who, in 2007, generously donated $7.45 million to the University of Denver to establish the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures. This gift also supported the Center’s production of Patterns of Potential Human Progress, a series of five volumes on the future of the global human condition published jointly by Paradigm Publishers and Oxford University Press India.
“The entire Josef Korbel School community thanks Frederick S. Pardee for his generous gift and his ongoing support of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures,” said Christopher R. Hill, dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
The Pardee Center’s mission is to explore, understand, and shape alternative futures of global change and human development. It is home to the International Futures (IFs) model, one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive macro-level, long-term forecasting systems available to the public. IFs is deeply data driven and draws on today’s best understanding of global systems to produce forecasts for 186 countries to the year 2100 and is designed to enhance long-range thinking and policy analysis.
“The Center’s recent and current work with the United Nations, World Bank, and governmental and intergovernmental organizations in Africa and Latin America exemplifies its rapidly growing contributions to global public policy analysis,” said Barry B. Hughes, Ph.D., director of the Pardee Center and John Evans professor at the Josef Korbel School. “The new gift will solidify the Center with ongoing core support from the endowment and will make it possible for the Center in turn to solidify its emergent standing as the world’s leading institution for long-term, multi-issue global forecasting.”
To learn more about the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures and IFs visit their website at http://pardee.du.edu/.
Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is committed to improving the human condition and engaging students and faculty in tackling the major issues of our day. In 2014, the University of Denver will celebrate its sesquicentennial with a full calendar of events and programs that not only honor the institution’s 150-year commitment to serving students, the community and the public good, but that look forward to a future of continued achievement and innovation. The University of Denver ranks among the top 100 national universities in the U.S. For additional information, subscribe to The University of Denver Newsfeed, visit the sesquicentennial website or follow the University on Facebook and Twitter.
The Josef Korbel School of International Studies is one of the world's leading schools for the study of international relations. Since its founding in 1964, the Josef Korbel School has produced alumni who work to improve the human condition, advance human prosperity, and enhance human security. Learn more at du.edu/korbel or follow the School on Facebook and Twitter.
To download a PDF version of the original press release, please click here: Frederick S. Pardee Donates $4M to the University of Denver
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Pardee Center,International Futures,Josef Korbel School,Frederick S. Pardee
The Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures at the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies announced today the receipt of a $4 million gift from their namesake Frederick S. Pardee. The donation by Pardee is in support of the Center's general endowment.
Pardee is an economist, businessman, and philanthropist who, in 2007, generously donated $7.45 million to the University of Denver to establish the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures. This gift also supported the Center's production of Patterns of Potential Human Progress, a series of five volumes on the future of the global human condition published jointly by Paradigm Publishers and Oxford University Press India.
"The entire Josef Korbel School community thanks Frederick S. Pardee for his generous gift and his ongoing support of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures," said Christopher R. Hill, dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
The Pardee Center's mission is to explore, understand, and shape alternative futures of global change and human development. It is home to the International Futures (IFs) model, one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive macro-level, long-term forecasting systems available to the public. IFs is deeply data driven and draws on today's best understanding of global systems to produce forecasts for 186 countries to the year 2100 and is designed to enhance long-range thinking and policy analysis.
"The Center's recent and current work with the United Nations, World Bank, and governmental and intergovernmental organizations in Africa and Latin America exemplifies its rapidly growing contributions to global public policy analysis," said Barry B. Hughes, Ph.D., director of the Pardee Center and John Evans professor at the Josef Korbel School. "The new gift will solidify the Center with ongoing core support from the endowment and will make it possible for the Center in turn to solidify its emergent standing as the world's leading institution for long-term, multi-issue global forecasting."
To learn more about the Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures and IFs visit their website at http://pardee.du.edu/.
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