• Kumasi Adoma 2003

• MA

• Assistant Manager for Outreach and Special Projects, Institute of International Education, Houston, TX 

My training in international conflict resolution really helped develop cross-cultural communication competencies, develop an ability to communicate in adverse and sensitive situations, create a skill set in public presentations and develop my professional writing.

• Yu Aoki 2011

• MA, International Studies

The Josef Korbel School's faculty is great and the program is very flexible and student friendly, in addition to our firm connections with alumni. I am now very proud of the Josef Korbel School.

Experience
"To be honest, I was accepted by other schools as famous as the Josef Korbel School and I really wavered among my options. I am now very confident, however, that my choice was the best that I had at that time. When I was admitted by the Josef Korbel School, I was offered a good scholarship, which really influenced my decision. The Josef Korbel School's faculty is great and the program is very flexible and student friendly, in addition to our firm connections with alumni. I am now very proud of the Josef Korbel School.       

"I actually know very little about the international student community at the Josef Korbel School, but Denver is great! I really enjoyed cycling and hiking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. To be honest, before I came to Denver, I seriously did not do any sports in Japan.  But great Denver made me realize the pleasure of outdoor sports, such as cycling and hiking."

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Yu Aoki.

• Celine Artal 2004
• Associate Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand

The School's multidisciplinary approach to international relations has also allowed me to better perceive the complexity and interrelated nature of socio-economic and political issues in the era of globalization. Such an approach has also taught me to place particular issues into broader social, economic and political dynamics. I have used these skills when engaging in practical work within the United Nations system and the non-governmental sector.

• Roy Baran 2011

• MA, International Studies
  BA, Communications, University of Texas, San Antonio

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am half-Indian, half-Syrian, and was born in Dubai, UAE. I moved to this country at a very young age and grew up mostly in South Texas. I grew up with an international view on all issues, and as an undergraduate I studied International and Intercultural Communication. I'm in the second year of my Master's degree, in the International Studies program, with a regional concentration in the Middle East. I love to travel and go back to the Middle East and India whenever I can, the most recent time being this past summer.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

The combination of theoretical and practical really drew me to the school. Its reputation for academic excellence and some of its well-known graduates played a part.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Roy Baran.

• Gabriela Barbosa 2011

• MA International Human Rights, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BS Criminology and Law Studies, Marquette University

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?
I liked that there was a more hands-on feel here, from the emphasis on internships to having the necessary skills set. I also appreciated that [the school] kept me informed throughout the steps and abreast of the application process. I didn't even hear from some other schools until I was here, so I was glad to know [the Josef Korbel School] was interested in me.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Gabriela Barbosa.

• Collin Barry 2004
• MA, Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration

If I have learned one valuable lesson over the years, which first took root at the Josef Korbel School, it is to expand my peripheral vision so as to avoid the trappings of familiarity and convention; to live with an indiscriminate curiosity and a personal commitment to continuous learning.

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

The professors and students at the Josef Korbel School, individually and collectively, evidenced an extremely high degree of independent thinking and creativity; the quality of research and scholarship was respectable, sweeping, and serious-minded; the variety of student-run organizations reflected a diverse, highly-informed, and extremely well-traveled student body; and the caliber of employers who frequently recruited from Korbel positively reflected the school’s reputation for intellectual rigor and depth. Above all else, my initial (and lasting) impression with the Josef Korbel School was the overarching sense of humanity; how the faculty, staff, and student body all seemed driven by a purpose that extended far beyond any sort of maintenance of well-being.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Collin Barry.

• Shanae Becker 2011

• MA, International Studies

What brought me to the Josef Korbel School was a recommendation from a peer that also currently goes here, who received the suggestion from some alumni during her internship at the Defense Intelligence Agency a few summers ago. I am working towards the general International Studies degree, with a regional concentration in the Middle East. Originally, I was drawn to the Josef Korbel School for their Human Rights program and the flexibility within my degree to take whatever interests me. I ended up deferring my admission for a year, and during that time, the school hired Professor Nader Hashemi, an assistant professor in Islamic Politics and the Middle East. His expertise in church-state relations and the Middle East were of exceptional good fortune to me, because my interests in religion and the Middle East, which are sometimes mutually exclusive, could be furthered.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Shanae Becker.

• Angie Bengtson 2009
• MA, International Development, Global Health Certificate

One of the greatest things I got out of my master’s program at the Josef Korbel School was incredible mentorship from faculty members. I felt like my professors really took the time to get to know me and invest in me.

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

When I was researching master's degree programs I was torn between pursuing public health and international development. With the Korbel School's programs in International Development and Global Health Affairs I found I didn't have to choose between the two. I was able to take coursework, work on projects and do an internship specific to global health issues, but I was able to learn about global health within the larger context of international development. For me, it was a great fit.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Angie Bengston.

• Katrina Berg 2007
• MA, International Development 2007

The praise for DU professors; smaller, interactive classes; and the variety of course topics offered confirmed my decision to choose the Josef Korbel School. Of course, its location in beautiful Denver was also alluring.

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

I chose the [Josef Korbel] School of International Studies for its focus on international work, and its attraction to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV). I knew there would be many other students with a similar experience that led them to a MA in International Development as well. It also provided RPCVs with the opportunity to follow a modified, yet rigorous schedule that allowed me the chance to complete an internship and still graduate within 15 months. During a visit before making my final decision, other students continually spoke highly to the diverse experiences of the professors as well as their support and interaction with students. The praise for DU professors; smaller, interactive classes; and the variety of course topics offered confirmed my decision to choose the Josef Korbel School. Of course, its location in beautiful Denver was also alluring.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Katrina Berg.

• David Lokulutu Bongwele 2005
• MA
• Political Affairs Officer, UN Department of Political Affairs, New York

My experience at the Josef Korbel School sharpened my analytical and research skills, enriched my theoretical background in international politics and really prepared me for my work at the UN.

• Tim Brauhn

• MA, International Studies, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BA, English Language and Literature, Aurora University

The Josef Korbel School is great for making connections with the next generation of policy leaders and great minds- you can't put a value on that. I'm looking forward to calling up someone and saying, "Remember me from when we were at Korbel together?" and leveraging that connection.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I'm originally from Northern Illinois. I went to Aurora University in Illinois, where I studied English Language and Literature. While there, I had a fellowship to help run interfaith peace-building programs in Chicago. Last year, I was also a Faiths Act Fellow, working with a religious coalition of faith communities like Interfaith Youth Core and Tony Blair Faith Foundation's worldwide team; it's kind of a new program so there was a lot of figuring things out on the fly.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

My work with religious organizations in Chicago helped me see the ties to international studies, and I developed my own concentration at the Josef Korbel School: Religion and Politics in the Middle East and Central Asia. I wouldn't have been at Josef Korbel if not for my deep convictions for making things happen; it's great for idealists. People get their diploma and then explode forth from the Korbel shell.

Read a longer Q&A with Tim.

• Paula Broadwell 2006
• MA, International Security, International Conflict Resolution Certificate

The Josef Korbel School experience broadened my horizons after my military career by pushing me outside of my intellectual comfort zone. I refined my writing and analytic skills, I gained new skills in negotiation and conflict resolution through practical application of course work and ombudsman work in Denver, and I took advantage of the academic accolades to apply to Harvard and continue my studies.

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

I was living in Denver and was interested in taking advantage of the great programs the school offered to expand my horizons and to meet like-minded security-studies oriented social network.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Paula Broadwell.

• Vance Brown 2010
• MA, International Administration

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

In 2005, I was interning on Capitol Hill with Senator Carl Levin’s office and made the decision that it would be grad school or the Peace Corps but not D.C.  It was at that time that I learned of a new opportunity at what was then GSIS, that combined both graduate education and service with the Peace Corps called the Master’s International program.  The development job market can be a very difficult riddle to solve but I knew that a world class education and two years of practical work experience would give me a tried and tested skillset that would materialize into a career.  In retrospect, it wasn’t the career potential that I truly valued; it was the connection and friendships I built with some of the top minds I’ve encountered in our field.  This school does a wonderful job of actualizing the growing proximity of the global community.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Vance Brown

• Jessie Burley 2009

• MA, International Development, Josef Korbel School '09
  BA, International Studies and Anthropology, Emory University

The Josef Korbel School's success as an international studies school was attractive, as was the divergence from the classic, traditional East Coast policy schools.

• Matthew Case
• MA, International Development, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BA, International Relations, Syracuse University 2001

The MA in International Development appealed to Matt because, in his words, 'I am a practioner and I like getting my hands dirty and seeing the results of my work.

Matthew was recently in Washington, DC on a brief hiatus from Afghanistan where he's working for the U.S. Department of State. He agreed to speak with me over the phone as he drove home to visit his family.

Matt works as a Grant Manager for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in the Public Affairs Section (PAS), managing a portfolio of $25 million out of a full PAS budget of $150 million. "This is not your grandfather's Public Affairs Section, we do a lot more than just academic exchanges and cultural activities," he says. With guidance from the Director of Communications and Public Diplomacy, David Ensor, Embassy Kabul PAS is tasked with meeting the strategic objectives of the Integrated Communications Plan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Read Matt's full profile.

• Abe Denmark
• MA, International Security, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BA, History, Political Science, University of Northern Colorado

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a Fellow with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). At CNAS, Mr. Denmark directs the Asia-Pacific Security Program and several defense strategy and planning projects, including The Contested Commons: The Future of American Power in a Multipolar World.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?
I think DU [Josef Korbel School] has a greater emphasis on practicality. Every school focuses in different areas but DU's focus on practicality an on-the-ground intelligence analysis, as opposed to theoretical and academic, puts it above other schools. Frankly theoretical and academic knowledge is not very helpful once you get to D.C., unless you want to get your PhD. Read a Q&A with Abe here.

• Eric Deutcher 2009

• MA, Homeland Security
  MPA, Public Administration
  BS, Business Administration

After researching programs across the country, I found the Homeland Security program at the Josef Korbel School had the best variety of national and international security-related classes and were taught by talented professors with a lot of real-world experience.

• Adrina Durham 2011

• MA, International Development, Certificate in Humanitarian Assistance
  BA, Geology and Anthropology

I enjoyed a class I took with Dr. Tahira Khan about religion and politics in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She fluidly linked the history of religion in this region with current conflicts. It really provided a comprehensive view of the situation and highlighted the concept of understanding the past to deal with the future.

Program
Master of Arts in International Development and a certificate in humanitarian assistance

Experience
"After deciding not to become a geophysicist, I had the desire to make more of an impact. So I hopped on a ship and traveled from Hong Kong to Amsterdam, taking post-graduate courses in international relations aboard the vessel."

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Adrina Durham.

• Stephanie Dybsky 2010

• International Development

While interning with the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), I helped run CCA's biannual event, the 7th U.S.-Africa Business Summit.  The Summit was a great success, drawing more than 1,300 attendees, including six African heads of state and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

While interning with the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), I helped run CCA's biannual event, the 7th U.S.-Africa Business Summit.  The Summit was a great success, drawing more than 1,300 attendees, including six African heads of state and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

• Megan McIllwain Elliott 2003
• MA
• Technical Program Officer, Organization International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

The Josef Korbel School provided me with the opportunity to stretch my mind, challenge my assumptions, and learn to look at things from a different perspective.

• Devin Finn 2009

• MA, International Studies
  BA, Political Science

The Josef Korbel School has provided a stimulating environment in which to launch into course work, research and specific projects. Grad school is a very rich and formative time and the Josef Korbel School really supports this process, from financial aid to career fairs to film nights.

• Jennifer Foltz 2007
• MA, International Development

The research and writing skills I developed at the Josef Korbel School have been essential in my career where I have to write clearly and concisely on a daily basis.

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?
After serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, I decided to pursue a degree in International Development, and chose the Josef Korbel School because of the Peace Corps Fellowship program and the school’s great reputation. My husband and I were also excited have the opportunity to live in Colorado!

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School alum Jennifer Foltz

• Jeff Franklin 2005

• MA

• Director of Programs for Mercy Corps, China; former program manager, Care International, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Both skills and theory courses helped, especially such practical courses as Professional Communication, Data Analysis and Country Team-Operations. Interacting with diverse classmates and instructors prepared me for a multicultural work environment.

• Benjamin Gochman 1998

• PhD
  MA

• Mexico Desk Officer, United States Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado

An MA and PhD from GSIS provided me with the critical thinking and analytical abilities to excel in my career in international security and homeland defense with a focus on Mexico and North American defense and security.

• Carrie Golden 2011

• MA, Josef Korbel School
  JD, Sturm College of Law
  BA, Philosophy, French and Cognitive Science

There is so much freedom to schedule the classes that you want and I have connected with professors in both schools . . .

What brought you to the University of Denver?

It was the opportunity of a dual degree; it's rare to find a program with specific concentrations like development or human rights- usually they are more political science-oriented. As far as a dual degree goes, both the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Sturm College of Law have a strong interest on public force; the law school provides me with the professional skills, while the graduate school provides me with the knowledge base-- the history and the current events. It's exactly what I expected: the graduate school shows me how the world works, which the law school shows me how to work within the world.

Read this full interview with dual degree student Carrie Golden.

• Justin Guay 2007
• MA, International Development, Global Health Certificate

Why did you choose the Josef Korbel School?

I wanted to get a great education but also stay near the mountains and this was the best choice by far. Korbel was great because I was able to merge my interest in environmental issues with broader issues of development and health.

• Beth Harris 2003
• MA
• Associate Resource Development Officer, Family Health International, a nonprofit organization active in reproductive health in more than 70 countries

The Josef Korbel School strengthened my communication skills, introduced me to many relevant issues in global health, and provided the masters degree required for my position.

• Daniel Hartman 2008

• MA, International Administration
  BA, Psychology, University of Memphis

One thing that set the Josef Korbel School apart is that the professors are teaching from a real, practical viewpoint.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School of International Studies?

I think the first thing that brought me to Korbel was the Peace Corps. I finished the Peace Corps and the Korbel School was a good school with a strong, vibrant Peace Corps community and I though it was a place to get a good education but also where they would appreciate my Peace corps experience. All-in-all it was a good option me. And I loved the fact that it was in Denver, which is a great place to live.

Read the full interview with this Josef Korbel School alum.

• Maureen Hinman 2003

• MA, GFTEI,  Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BA, International Studies, Josef Korbel School of International Studies

I found that the foundational and analytical basis of international relations, the institutional basis, which I learned at the Josef Korbel School, really gives you the ability to understand how things are playing out now and the ability to apply historical analysis to an issue as opposed to saying; "well this is what popular now."

Read the full Q&A with Maureen.

• Onyeka Ilobi

• MA, Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration
  BS, Economics and International Business

My experience at the Josef Korbel School has been fulfilling and challenging. I've also appreciated the quality of the other students. They have done so much with their lives already.

• Sarah Jessup 2011

• BA, Political Science
  Southwestern University
  Georgetown, Texas

It's one of the few schools with a program for human rights and it allows me to specialize in a region -- Southeast Asia. I love it so far; it's everything I wanted it to be.

Experience

"I worked as a grant writer for a completely non-profit children's hospital in Dallas. I would do that for an international organization in a heartbeat. That, too, spurred me to come to the Josef Korbel School."

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Sarah Jessup. 

• Stuart King 2011

• MA, Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration
  BA, International Business, Southern Adventist University

I'm very excited because my education and training will be directly applicable to the Peace Corps. There's a really big Peace Corps community here so it's been nice to ask them what it's like. I was assigned to Ukraine in the community development track and will be going in March.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

I was introduced to Korbel through the Peace Corps' list of school affiliates. I narrowed it down programs I liked and regions I wanted to live in. I had never been to Denver but heard great things. I found the other schools and programs to have different foci but the economic focus of Korbel made DU attractive to me. When I saw a course listing for the Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration (GFTEI) program and read through it, I knew what Korbel offered was directly related to what I wanted. There's a good balance. It's heavy on theory but there's a decent amount of practice as well. The faculty too- I was very impressed by their credentials. And the class sizes are small. Korbel has a high ranking for international studies-that was a big draw. I hoped Korbel was the one and it worked out well.

Denver is great. I would definitely come back if the opportunity presented itself. The weather is amazing and the mountains are beautiful. The campus is beautiful. I'm also a big hockey fan. I didn't understand or recognize the extent of how much it's appreciated here.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Stuart King.

• Brandon LeBlanc 2011

• MA, International Security
  BA, Political Science, UCLA

I wanted to be somewhere where I could formulate my own thoughts without being influenced by Washington.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

Denver. The location- being isolated from D.C. I want a break from D.C., I figure I'll end up there later. I wanted to be somewhere where I could formulate my own thoughts without being influenced by Washington. Denver is perfect for graduate students. The cost of living is minimal- it appealed to me financially.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Brandon LeBlanc.

• Sarah Leavitt 2010
• MA, International Development

Sarah Leavitt completed her MA in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies in 2010. She is now Digital Outreach Manager for the Lambi Fund of Haiti. Click here to watch her video and get some advice on making the most of your internship.

• Arturo Lopez-Levy PhD ABD

• Bachelor's degree, Instituto Superior De Relaciones Internacionales, Havana, Cuba
  Master of Arts, Economics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
  Master of Arts, International Affairs, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

It's not as if there's not diversity in Cuba, because there is. But problems are generally considered under the Marxist paradigm, which is good, because people should know about the Marxist paradigm, but there are so many other paradigms. It's as if they are teaching you to repair things using a toolbox that is incomplete. The great advantage of American graduate education is the diversity of views.

Program
Arturo Lopez-Levy is a Cuban-born Ph.D. candidate in comparative politics and a lecturer at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He also teaches part time at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Arturo Lopez-Levy.

• Geoffrey Macdonald PhD ABD

• PhD, International Studies
  MA, International Security
  BA, International Relations, Boston University

I had an internship working on conflict resolution in Bethlehem and writing for a political journal in East Jerusalem for seven months, and when that was over, I decided to stay in school and pursue my PhD

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

I had an internship working on conflict resolution in Bethlehem and writing for a political journal in East Jerusalem for seven months, and when that was over, I decided to stay in school and pursue my PhD. I am now done with classes and comprehensive exam--which was intense, but went well-- and am nearly done with my dissertation prospectus.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School PhD candidate, Geoffrey Macdonald.

• Brett Makens 2002
• MA
• Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State

If I look back on my time at the Josef Korbel School, the greatest strength I got from my education was the ability to question, think critically and then be able to present that information in a concise and relevant manner. This is a credit to the professors at the school, who challenged me consistently throughout my time there.

• Lisa McCroskey 2011

• Dual Degree MA, International Development and MSW, Josef Korbel School and Graduate School of Social Work
  BA, Government and Politics, University of Maryland College Park

I'm supported by my professors at Korbel and feel really empowered by their mentorship. It's definitely one of the strengths of the program. It's great that the professors will take the time to sit down and talk to me and support my passions and convictions.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

Six years ago, I wanted to volunteer abroad, somewhere in Africa. I chose Tanzania because I wanted to learn Swahili and see Kilimanjaro- I know it sounds touristy. I found more commonalities with people in Tanzania than with people from major cities in the U.S.. I'm form a small town when everyone knew one another.

Then my fiancé was injured in Iraq by a roadside bomb. It turned my world upside down. Eventually he was transferred to Walter Reed and that was my first experience with casualties of war. Through these initial experiences my interests shifted to a humanitarian emphasis. At Walter Reed the people making the biggest difference aside from the doctors were the social workers. I then incorporated the international element into it by studying International Development at Korbel.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Lisa McCroskey.

• Patrick McLennan 2012
• MA in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

The integrity of the school was key, as well as its location. It is nice to get an above-quality education outside of the Beltway! My favorite professor is, hands down, Ilene Grabel. One of my favorite things about Korbel is working with the talented staff at Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures. I continue to learn so much from modeling and people like Barry Hughes.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Patrick McLennan.

• Joanna Miller 2011

• MA, International Human Rights
  BA, Sociology and History, University of New Mexico

There are so many events going on here that it can really enhance the experience-- it shouldn't just be class, go home, study.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

It was a combination of Denver, the location and the opportunities here with the non-profit community-- in addition to the reputation of the school. I actually first heard about the Josef Korbel School through its Human Trafficking Clinic. I was working with domestic workers, and I didn't really know what that entailed, so I researched human trafficking and came across the Clinic. I then became an Associate in the Clinic, researching child trafficking in Haiti. I am now working on my project independently, which is essentially about child domestic slavery and child domestic labor in general, and how that might create vulnerabilities to other abuses.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Joanna Miller.

• Sarah Miller 2011

• MA, International Development
  Global Health Affairs Certificate
  BA, Psychology and Peace and Justice Studies, University of San Diego

The GHA program has a lot of research projects you can get involved in. . .  For being a professional school that focuses on giving students skills that they can apply in the field, I didn't expect to find so many useful research opportunities.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

I chose Korbel for a couple of reasons. It seemed more interdisciplinary. At the time, I was struggling between psychology and development programs. Korbel allows you to take the International Development degree and the Global Health Affairs (GHA) certificate simultaneously. I was interested in [the University of Denver] DU because it offered a flexible curriculum and diverse classes. DU also offers an International Disaster Psychology program. I think it's important to have a mental health component in the curriculum.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Sarah Miller.

• Ursula Miniszewski 2011

• MA, International Studies
  BA, Modern European History

Guatemala is a more affordable choice than many other Spanish-speaking countries for students wanting to participate in Spanish immersion.

Experience
"I did a program, Educación Para Todos, in Xela, which is in the middle of Guatemala and is less touristy than other areas. It was a one-on-one based program with five hours a day with a private tutor, which was great. It seems like Guatemala is a more affordable choice than many other Spanish-speaking countries for students wanting to participate in Spanish immersion.

"This past summer I had an internship with the New York Immigration Coalition, an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for more than 200 groups in New York state that works with immigrants and refugees. It became clear that I needed to speak Spanish to take on an advocate role."

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Ursula Miniszewski.

• Alex Monroe 2011

• MA International Human Rights, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
  BA Political Science, Georgia College

It's the only school to offer an actual degree in Human Rights, not just an International Studies degree with a concentration.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

It's the only school to offer an actual degree in Human Rights, not just an International Studies degree with a concentration. I knew Professor Claude d'Estree, special rapporteur to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, but the Human Trafficking Clinic was still in its initial stages, so I found out about the school mostly from research. There was also the Peace Corps Fellows program, and when I met (an Admissions Representative) at a Grad School fair in Los Angeles, she provided me with so much information on the clinic. It was interesting just to see that a class on Contemporary Slavery and Human Trafficking was being offered at the graduate level. It's very progressive' and it fit me.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Alex Monroe.

• Michael Moreland 2011
• MA, International Security

In three months, I handled inquiries from 33 different organizations and individuals involved with international investment into the United States, logging 121 case interactions. I was able to put into practice what I had learned in the International Security program at DU on creating easily-digestible reports for my supervisor. . .

• Cayce Munson 2011

• MA, Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration
  BA, English, Rutgers University

The Peace Corps Fellows program at Korbel is incredible. And Korbel's commitment to social welfare, plus the excellent location, made the program here my first choice.

Experience 
Peace Corps volunteer in China

Goals
"I'm interested in Chinese-U.S. resource conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa- a topic I became aware of as a Peace Corps Volunteer in China. I plan to work on these issues as a policy analyst with the government or a non-profit." 

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Cayce Munson. 

• Steve Musick 2006

• MA, GFTEI

• Founder and CEO of a private wealth management firm in Golden, CO, Steve Musick contributed $20,000 to the Josef Korbel School to support students in the Global Finance, Trade & Economic Integration Program (GFTEI). The GFTEI Fund supports the professional development of GFTEI students through such activities as internships, research, conference participation, and guest lectures.

For me, as practitioner in the financial services industry, some of the best learning I did at the Josef Korbel School came from the other students. So it only seemed natural to me to try to connect back to students.

• Katherine Ntiamoah 2011

Why Korbel

As a winner of a prestigious Rangel Fellowship, designed to increase minority representation in the diplomatic services, she wanted to attend a school outside of the "East Coast bubble" where she would be exposed to theory and practice in an atmosphere of academic excellence.

• Guy Padgett 2011

• MA, International Studies
  BA, Social Sciences

The Josef Korbel School doesn't rest on its laurels. While highly ranked and internationally recognized, it strives to provide students with opportunities.

Experience 

I was proud to be not only the first openly gay elected official in Wyoming but also the youngest mayor in the history of Casper, Wyoming.

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Guy Padgett.

• Holly Philpot 2011

• MA, International Human Rights
  BA, History, University of Florida

I believe that we all have the capability to be "agents of change" in the world, and I am grateful and excited for what my studies at the Josef Korbel School are contributing to my effectiveness in the field.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I grew up in Tutsville, a small town on the east coast of Florida right next to the Kennedy Space Center. I received my B.A. in History from the University of Florida. In the years between undergraduate and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, I had a variety of jobs; I worked in an educational outreach office at the Kennedy Space Center before spending a year in Uganda as a humanitarian aid worker. Upon returning from Uganda, I taught middle school in Florida for a short time before moving to Colorado to begin my studies at the Josef Korbel School.

What brought you to the Josef Korbel School?

I am studying for my MA in International Human Rights, but what drew me to the Josef Korbel School was the Humanitarian Assistance certificate program, as well as the school's location. The class that has been most relevant to my interests and to my studies thus far has been Professor Peter Van Arsdale's "Human Rights and the International Refugee System."

Read the full interview with Josef Korbel School student Holly Philpot.

• Karin Soweid 1999

• MA, International Administration

• Senior human resources analyst and talent management project manager, SABIS Educational Services s.a.l. in Lebanon

GSIS helped me develop an intellectual aptitude to confidently address and negotiate complex challenges facing organizations and people in different country and cultural contexts.

• Brandon Sternquist 2010

• MA, International Security
  BA, International Relations and BA, Law, Politics and Society

My time at the Josef Korbel School has allowed me to have some great experiences and gain many of the skills I will need as a professional in international affairs. I know the people I have met in and out of the classroom will be my colleagues and co-workers in the years to come.

Program

Master of Arts in International Security with a concentration in Military Analysis, and a Certificate in Humanitarian Assistance

Experience

Intern with the United Nations Foundation, Washington, D.C.
October to December 2008

Temporary position, U.S. State Department, Washington, D.C.
April 2009

Goals

To continue work in the areas of International Security and Humanitarian Assistance as an analyst or in a similar role with a governmental or non-governmental organization.

• Nathaniel Tishman 2009

• MA, International Human Rights
  BA, Journalism

At the Josef Korbel School there are incredible opportunities to learn and connections to be made. Some of the professors are legendary in their fields and for them to bring that knowledge to you in a class is pretty special.

Program

Returned Peace Corps volunteer, Master of Arts in International Human Rights with a Certificate in Humanitarian Assistance

Experience

Peace Corps Volunteer in Chad
Intern, Mercy Corps, a humanitarian assistance NGO, in Uganda and Niger