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.
Omar Aittakalla, a Fellow at the Pardee Institute for International Futures, is undertaking a summer internship with the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
Since interning at AUDA-NEPAD, Aittakalla has been working on country reports for Tunisia and Tanzania, utilizing the International Futures (IFs) model to conduct analyses crucial for implementing the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063.
In addition, he performs tasks which include data gathering, co-authoring policy briefs and reports, and organizing events like webinars and workshops. Aittakalla says he has learned to efficiently share findings and has mastered virtual tools. “This internship has greatly enhanced my professional development, preparing me for future roles in international organizations,” he reflected.
Omar Aittakalla’s internship with AUDA-NEPAD, is made possible by the Pardee Institute through facilitation to ensure that Pardee fellows secure an internship and acquire additional practical experience in the development sector. This forms part of the Pardee Institute’s role in developing future leaders in international development.
The internship commenced in June 2024 and is expected to end in August.
Bido Ibrahim, a fellow at the Pardee Institute for International Futures, is currently undertaking a summer internship with the African Union’s Development Agency- NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD).
Ibrahim’s role with the AUDA-NEPAD involves creating in-depth country-level reports, that explore the long-term benefits and transformative impacts of Africa’s Agenda 2063: Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan.
Speaking about his internship experience and his ability to perform his assigned roles, Bido acknowledged the rigorous training he received at the Pardee Institute. As a Pardee Fellow, he underwent extensive training in the International Futures (IFs) model, which, combined with his skills in literature reviews and data collection, has enabled him to make significant contributions to NEPAD's mission.
Reflecting on his experience, Ibrahim noted, "My biggest takeaway from the internship is the realization that impactful change requires not only visionary plans but also dedicated and informed action. This experience has inspired me to continue working towards meaningful international development contributions."
The internship, which began in June, is set to conclude in August. This opportunity is part of the Pardee Institute's mission to deeply involve highly capable students in learning advanced research methods and applying them to real-world research.
This summer, Pardee Fellow Clay Morgan is interning with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria, South Africa, as part of the Africa Futures Initiative team. Since June 24, 2024, Clay has been updating country profiles for Cote d'Ivoire and Mauritania using the International Futures (IFs) tool. Clay’s work involves forecasting current paths, developing sector-specific scenarios, and formulating policy recommendations. Clay also wrote a blog post on energy policy, focusing on new oil discoveries and hydrogen power projects in these countries.
Clay credits their Pardee Fellowship for preparing them with essential skills in using the International Futures (IFs) model and interpreting results. "The training at Pardee has been instrumental in understanding development dynamics and applying them to real-world scenarios,"
Adding that “I have personally gained a greater understanding of how I will hopefully be able to use IFs as a tool as I look to begin to look beyond my fellowship at the Pardee Institute and towards how I will be able to apply my understanding of IFs, large model forecasting, and research skills to my professional career. I also have been able to learn from experts here who have spent their careers studying African development and formulating impactful policy proposals”.
The internship, which runs through early August, mirrors the Pardee Institute’s commitment to involving students in advanced research and practical applications.
Luke Venezia, a core Diplometrics team member at the Frederick S. Pardee Institute of International Futures and an undergraduate student at the University of Denver, has been adjudged the winner of the Stimson Center's 2nd annual Build a Better U.S. Foreign Policy student essay competition.
Venezia’s winning essay, “The US Should Be Taking the Lead on Global Infrastructure Development,” focused on proposing a more efficient approach for the United States to advance sustainable international infrastructure development while avoiding the situation where funds get trapped in corrupt bureaucracies and doomed projects.
Commenting on the award-winning essay in an article published by the Stimson Center, Venezia noted that his experience studying in Italy had inspired his essay. “I was studying abroad in Italy back in the Fall, and at that time, the country had recently withdrawn its membership in the Belt and Road Initiative, in part because of worsening US and China relations,” he said. “The need to curtail Huawei was evident, but the means to do so was limited at best from the European side. A recent class in political risk pointed me in the direction of realizing benefits from risk, not just mitigation. This led to a more business-driven perspective to foreign policy issues, hence, utilizing the private sector.”
Venezia's achievement connects to the Pardee Institute and the work of its Diplometrics team, building their expertise and contribution to international affairs, particularly in sustainable infrastructure development.
The winning essay can be found here on Inkstick Media.
I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychology and Brain Sciences as well as with a minor in Applied Psychology. I knew, at the time, that I wanted to work in the mental health sector and had the opportunity to work as a Behavioral Health Tech for Alsana, an eating disorder treatment center, in Santa Barbara. Three months into that role, I was promoted to Program Manager and in June 2022 when I left Alsana I was their Sr. Program Director. In that role I managed the operations of two treatment locations encompassing three different program levels. I bring this up not only because of how impactful this experience was but also because it catapulted the direction of my career. I was originally interested in pursuing clinical work however, this experience allowed me a comprehensive understanding of behavioral healthcare and insight into the many systems at work. I realized my passions and interests lay within understanding and impacting systems. As I researched different career paths relating to macro social change, I realized that an MPP and MSW would allow me to effectively combine my interests of social justice, systems work, and policy and eventually pursue a career in social policy. It was important to me that my education takes both a logistical and human rights approach to this work.
I feel extremely lucky to have been able to take classes with such incredible professors at both schools. While I am only in my second quarter of the MPP program, I found Dr. Barma’s Intro to Policy Analysis course to be incredibly impactful. Not only did it provide a great foundation to begin the MPP, but Dr. Barma provided the space to challenge and think critically about the content which cultivated thought-provoking meaningful conversations in class. For me, that class solidified that I am pursuing the right degree and made me excited about the rest of the program. Within the MSW program, I am currently taking The Prison Industrial Complex and Abolition course with Dr. Sarantakos. He designed this course to center the voices of people impacted by the carceral state which has been incredibly impactful. The course forces me and the class to sit in the discomfort of the many human rights violations of the prison system. I feel lucky to participate in classes like these where I get to analyze issues from both a policy and grassroots lens.
I am currently exploring my career goals and am open to a variety of opportunities. My main priority is ensuring that the work I do is meaningful and impactful. One topic that especially interests me is healthcare policy. I would be very excited to work in that field. The dual degree has been great not only in terms of skillset development for my future career but also in exposing me to different organizations and role possibilities because of doing research for classes and talking to professors.
Given that many students in the MSW program are pursuing clinical or micro-social work roles, the first year of the program attempted to cover a vast variety of introductory topics in social work. Comparatively, I have found the first year of the MPP program to be more focused to ensure students have a strong basic understanding of policy. Both programs have taught a lot; however, in my experience, there is a greater focus on theory in the MSW vs. a greater focus on skills in the MPP. The programs and classes have felt compatible and, as a result, have allowed me to deepen my understanding and approach topics from a variety of perspectives. For example, my Cost-Benefit Analysis course at Korbel and my Prison Industrial Complex and Abolition course at GSSW discuss issue analysis in vastly different ways which has given me a great basis for my Cost-Benefit Analysis quarter-long project for which I’ve chosen a topic relating to sentencing.
Outside of school I work part-time for the Denver Public School system as their Operations Coordinator for their Exceptional Student Services Department. This department includes student services including nursing, social work, psych, substance abuse prevention, section 504, special education, and more. I support these sub-departments with logistics and project management. This work has given me greater insight into the challenges and benefits of working in large, bureaucratic institutions.
I love finding great places to eat. I would highly recommend Taste of Thailand on Broadway and Lucky Noodles on Colfax for great Thai. My absolute favorite restaurant in Denver is called Q House – I can’t recommend it enough.
Being a student of International Relations from Bangladesh, I was always interested to understand the critical dimension of international politics. I always have been enthusiastic to find solutions and assess the impact of these solutions. After my graduation from the University of Dhaka, I have worked as a Lecturer at the Department of International Relations in Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). This is a newly established public university under Bangladesh armed forces. In this regard, courses like Public Policy, Governance and Development became more thought-provoking to me because those were the spheres [that], I think, Bangladesh requires more specification and expertise. Being assigned to the Bangladesh Military Academy as an instructor of officer candidates of the Bangladesh Army, gave me another incentive to specialize in public policy. I think that the process of advising future officials or policy makers should be conducted with a more specialized perspective. They are going to represent Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping, administration, securitization and others. When returning to my home country after graduating, I will have gained more experience here and will implement what I have learned into my teaching.
From the three schools I had to choose for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Josef Korbel School of International Studies was my priority. I found the MPP program of Korbel a very interesting one for its critical approach to public policy. It focuses on both domestic and international issues. In addition, the specialization courses of my own interest were the most rewarding for the degree. I am now doing my specialization in human rights and security and I am very confident that I made the right decision.
I liked the course Introduction to Public Policy from the first quarter. Though I am not a math person, I also liked the Cost-benefit Analysis course. It provides a different perspective for recommending a policy option. In the last quarter, I was in the course Gender, Security and Human rights. That was also wonderful.
Currently, I am focusing on pursuing my PhD to collect expertise on public policy and human rights in Bangladesh. I am planning to do an internship related to policy issues of human rights now. Dr. Naazneen Barma [Director of the MPP program] is very helpful, and I have been talking to her for guidance and suggestions. Korbel OCPD [Office of Career and Professional Development] is also very helpful to recommend proper suggestions to the students. I appreciate the events they organize as well as the personal coaching. After completing my higher studies, I am planning to stay in academia and continue research work.
Not directly in any clubs right now. First year students of MPP are working to create a student club on policy issues. We will arrange seminars, meetings with alums as well as the community, movie session and other events. I am super excited for that.
Secondly, as I am from Bangladesh, [and] we have a small group of Bangladeshi students from different programs. We talk about our classes, topics and our experience. These interdisciplinary insights help me to relate different issues with MPP. We also have friends from other Asian countries. We love to talk about the politics, culture, food and other issues which are very similar to each other. Lastly, it is not related to the academic program, but I love to roam around different parks in Denver. I am waiting for the flowers to blossom and I plan to go to the Crystal Lake in late spring. As I love nature photography (though I am an amateur), capturing wild spring flowers of Crystal lake will be a wonderful experience.
I am not very fond of quantitative analysis. I was literally afraid of the course Cost-benefit Analysis...but I am really overwhelmed to know the impact of CBA in policy making. In cases of human rights, valuing the cost or benefit is so complicated. In this cases, I have always questioned everything. Like- how can we measure the value of human life in monetary value? After doing this course, still I am not convinced but I have the idea that how it can be used in public policy. It was a great learning experience.
Also, I went to Washington DC in April to attend a Fulbright seminar. I met 120 Fulbrighters from 70 different countries and got to know their stories and passion which was really inspiring. I have never felt so global before. Moreover, I also had the chance to go to University of Denver's Kennedy Mountain Campus in the summer break. The workshop on life plans and values within the natural and scenic mountains helped me to think about my passion and future plans.
As I live near the university, I love the roads with restaurants and cafes. There is a 90s vibe in some of those buildings. I have mentioned the parks. Chessman and Washington parks are my go-to places for a walk. Also, the museums in Denver are really world class. I love the Art Museum. I am planning to go to Vail in this Spring as they have fun spring activities.
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.
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