Published - Founded 60 years ago by Czech diplomat and scholar Josef Korbel, the School had an extraordinary ambition: to build a world-class institution here in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West committed to making the world more peaceful, just, equitable and democratic. With more than 7,000 alumni and a global reputation for excellence, Korbel has solidified its place as a leader in international and public affairs; one that is driven by an enduring commitment to the public good and a clear vision for the future.

“The name change is not a departure,” says Dean Fritz Mayer, “it’s a declaration of our enduring commitment to our founding values, but one that better reflects who we are today. We don’t just study issues, we train future leaders to act on them. We engage with public policy at all levels, from the global to the local. And we recognize that the public good is co-produced by governments, businesses and civil society organizations.”

Our location in Denver continues to offer a distinctive vantage point, geographically removed from the nation’s capital, yet rooted in a state capital and deeply connected to the world. Korbel has always been a place that invites elevated thinking, bold ideas, and unconventional solutions.

The new name also reflects our ambitions for the next 60 years. “The mission of the Korbel School has never been more important,” says Dean Mayer. “In this moment of unprecedented change, of uncertainty about our common future, the world has never been more in need of principled, pragmatic, and courageous leaders capable of confronting the great global challenges of the age.”

We’re not simply signaling where we’re headed, we’re leading the way. We are shaping the next generation of leaders and ideas that will define the future of global and public affairs, and we stand ready to meet this moment with purpose, vision and an unwavering commitment to a better world.