Where Networks Take Root: Korbel Students Explore Career Pathways in Washington, D.C.
At a moment when career trajectories in Washington, D.C. are shifting rapidly, students at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs are demonstrating a renewed eagerness to understand and enter the nation’s government and policy hub. This fall, record-high interest in the school’s D.C. Career Connections trip brought 28 Korbel graduate students to the capital for four days of intensive career exploration....
Bridging the Gap at Korbel: Turning Passion for Global Affairs into a Career
Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a cornerstone of the Korbel School’s commitment to shaping impactful global leaders. Co-founded in 2005 by now Professor and Director of the Scrivner Institute Naazneen Barma, BTG was created to do exactly what its name promises: connect scholars and emerging practitioners to the policymaking world, ensuring their passion for international affairs can translate into careers with impact. ...
Theory In Practice: Korbel's First-Year Cohort Forecasting Simulation
This reflection was written by Madison Bryant (MA, Global Economic Affairs, 2026), a first-year Korbel graduate student partaking in a simulation for the class, "Great Issues in International Affairs."...
From First-Generation College Student to Regional Representative with Senator Bennet: Jacob Topping’s Public Service Journey
From the steel city of Pueblo, Colorado to the halls of government, recent Korbel alumnus Jacob Topping’s journey is a testament to what drive, purpose, and community roots can make possible. A proud first-generation college graduate, Jacob grew up with a strong belief that people from small towns deserve a voice in decisions that shape their future. After graduating with his Master of Public Policy (MPP) in 2024, Jacob has dedicated his career to elevating those voices. “I was born and raised in Pueblo,” he shared, “and I am now the Southeastern Regional Representative for Senator Michael Bennet.”...
Bridging Worlds: Keith Gehring Guides Student to Fulbright-Winning Project
With guidance from Korbel professor Keith Gehring, grad student Raluca Alexandrescu turned a bold idea into a Fulbright-winning project and a life-changing experience. When Raluca Alexandrescu first began her Fulbright application, she wasn’t sure she would qualify, let alone stand out in a field of top-tier candidates. A graduate student in information technology with a focus on AI strategy, she had a vision: to return to Romania, her home country, and study how small businesses in Bucharest could better adopt digital tools. But translating that vision into a competitive proposal would take more than hard work. It would take clarity and perseverance—and the right mentor....
Students build career-ready grant writing skills in Aid & Development Workshop series
Mastering technical and theoretical content is just the beginning for public policy students....
Diplomatic leaders engage U-M community at seventh ambassadors forum
The Ford School’s Weiser Diplomacy Center (WDC), in partnership with the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (WCEE) and the American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD), recently hosted its seventh annual Ambassadors Forum. The three day event brought distinguished diplomats and policy experts to Ann Arbor for discussions on America’s role in NATO, the EU, and the future of diplomacy. U-M students, faculty, and Ann Arbor high schoolers had the opportunity to engage directly with seasoned ambassadors during a particularly dynamic period in global affairs. ...
Undergrads meet with global leaders in Brussels, find resolve amid global uncertainty
When 15 public policy undergraduates touched down in Brussels, Belgium in March, they knew they were visiting Europe’s capital at a pivotal moment....
From Denver to the World: Korbel Students Expand Their Horizons During Winter Interterm
Studying abroad at the Korbel School isn’t just about hitting the books in a different country. It’s about creating opportunities for students to immerse themselves in new cultures, network with global leaders, and dare to redefine their futures. The month between the Fall and Winter Quarters — called “Winter Interterm” — is a chance for Korbel students to embrace these experiences....
Three Students, One Purpose: Advancing Public Good During Summer Interterm
Summer at the Korbel School isn’t just a break from the classroom — it’s a launchpad for careers in international affairs and public policy. ...
Making an Impact: How Korbel Student Bido Ibrahim Helps Shape Africa’s Future
After years of dedicated work in international development, Abdelrahman (Bido) Ibrahim was ready for something bigger. His M.A. in International Development became the next logical step—a move that opened doors for him to have a broader platform with even greater social impact. ...
Attending the Aspen Security Forum: Connecting Theory to Practice
From July 15–18, I had the privilege of representing the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs as part of a student delegation at the 2025 Aspen Security Forum. As the only university partnered with the Forum, Korbel’s presence stood out—we were proud to be the only students attending among a distinguished gathering of world leaders, policymakers, and experts in global security. ...