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Sesquicentennial Scholars – Apply by March 23!

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:23:15 +0000

Sesquicentennial Scholars – Apply by March 23! Puttroff, Mont… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:23

[Division of Student Life] The Sesquicentennial Scholars Program celebrates ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� 150th anniversary by supporting outstanding undergraduate leaders. Selected students receive $1,500–$3,000 to pursue a faculty- or staff-mentored experiential learning project—such as an internship, research, education abroad, service-learning, or creative endeavor. Apply by March 23!

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Silicon Flatirons Startup Summer 2026 - Applications Open Now!

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:09:43 +0000

Silicon Flatirons Startup Summer 2026 - Applications Open Now! Puttroff, Mont… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:09

[Google Forms] Applications are now open for Silicon Flatirons' Startup Summer 2026 Program! This program will guide students through the process of building your own venture, and will end the summer with a pitch contest for a cash prize! Participation is open to undergraduate students who have obtained or are seeking a paid, full-time internship at a startup or emerging company.

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The Literary and the Nuclear: Thinking Wartime through Manga, Fiction, Art, and Translation - 3/11 5:30pm

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The Literary and the Nuclear: Thinking Wartime through Manga, Fiction, Art, and Translation - 3/11 5:30pm Puttroff, Mont… Fri, 03/06/2026 - 15:00

[CU Events Calendar] Join the Asian Languages and Civilizations department on 3/11 for "The Literary and the Nuclear", and learn about how storytelling and translation highlight the history of the nuclear age.

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Where Are They Now? Emma Sanderson (IAFS & SPAN, ’21)

Eileen Brown — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Where Are They Now? Emma Sanderson (IAFS & SPAN, ’21) Eileen Brown Thu, 03/05/2026 - 07:00

We’re excited to continue our “Where Are They Now?” feature, highlighting IAFS alumni and the diverse paths they’ve taken since graduation. Each spotlight shares updates on career, accomplishments, and life after CU - offering our community a chance to celebrate and stay connected with fellow graduates. If you’d like to be featured in a future edition, we’d love to hear from you!

This month, we’re featuring Emma Sanderson (IAFS & SPAN ’21), who reflects on how her IAFS experience launched her into the world of foreign policy, her recent achievements in graduate school, and what life looks like now in Washington, DC. Here’s what she had to say:

Emma Sanderson (IAFS & SPAN ’21) is a Master’s student in International Relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she is a Public Service Fellow concentrating in Security, Strategy, and Statecraft with a regional focus on Latin America. Previously, she worked in research at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group, supporting analysis on US foreign policy, sanctions, migration, defense, and national security. She has also conducted research on US-Africa policy and counterterrorism in sub-Saharan Africa as a Marcellus Policy Fellow with the John Quincy Adams Society, and received training in diplomatic tradecraft through the Washington International Diplomatic Academy. Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Emma holds a BA in International Affairs and Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder.

What are you up to now (role, organization, location)?

I’m a second-year master’s student at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC. While at SAIS, I interned at the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group, and I’m currently a SAIS Public Service Fellow and Vice President of the Careers in Diplomacy Club. After graduation, I plan to continue working in US foreign policy.

How has your IAFS background shaped your path?

CU’s IAFS program played a huge role in shaping my path toward foreign policy. I really valued the structure of the major paired with the flexibility to explore different regions, issue areas, and disciplines. Just as important were the professors, who pushed me to think critically while being incredibly supportive mentors. (Forever grateful to Prof. Gregory Young, Prof. Robert Wyrod and Prof. Doug Snyder!)

During my senior year - when everything shifted online because of COVID - I was able to intern virtually at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. That experience gave me my first real exposure to the policy world. While balancing Zoom classes and remote work, I slowly built relationships and learn more about the foreign policy field. That internship ultimately helped me transition into a full-time role after graduation and gave me the confidence to keep pursuing this path.

More about Emma's National Security and Economic Weapons Policy Fellowship Research

Emma’s research examines how U.S. “maximum pressure” sanctions reshaped Venezuela’s economy by pushing the regime toward illicit revenue streams and alternative financial networks.

As Venezuela adapted to sanctions, it deepened ties with other sanctioned states—including Iran—to sustain its energy sector and bypass international restrictions. These shared workarounds help explain how sanctions on one country can ripple outward, shaping broader networks of cooperation among sanctioned regimes.

A recent accomplishment or moment you’re proud of?

I was recently selected for the inaugural National Security and Economic Weapons Policy Fellowship, based within the Rethinking Iran Initiative at SAIS. The cohort includes 15 graduate students representing five different graduate schools, all focused on research related to economic warfare. My project looks at US maximum pressure sanctions on Venezuela.

Through SAIS, I also have had the opportunity of conducting my capstone research topic on US-Colombia relations, and I’m headed to Bogotá and Medellín in two weeks to conduct my research on the ground!

One fun fact about life after CU?

I’ve had the chance to return to CU twice for the Conference on World Affairs (CWA), which I loved attending as a student. On those visits, I got to represent the Chicago Council alongside my boss, Lizzy Shackelford, when she was a speaker. It felt very full-circle, and I hope to be back again soon.

We also recently published an interview with Emma titled From Internship to SAIS: Emma Sanderson's Path in Foreign Policy, where she speaks more in depth about her experience in the IAFS Internship Program and gives practical advice to current IAFS students.

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Upcoming Campus Awards - Due Soon!

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 22:30:55 +0000

Upcoming Campus Awards - Due Soon! Puttroff, Mont… Wed, 03/04/2026 - 15:30

Recognize Outstanding Buffs — Nominate Someone for Spring 2026 CU Awards!

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� students, faculty, and staff make our campus stronger every day through leadership, service, innovation, and community building. This spring, you have several great opportunities to nominate someone who inspires you. Whether it’s a fellow student who leads with passion or a faculty member who made a real difference in your experience, now is the time to lift them up and help them receive the recognition they deserve.

Community Belonging Awards

New this year, the Community Belonging Awards recognize individuals who foster connection, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging across campus.

Deadline: March 13, 2026
Prize: $5,000 one-time award (four recipients total), campus recognition
Nominees eligible: Current undergraduate students, graduate/professional students, staff and faculty in good standing
Nominators eligible: Current students, staff and faculty (self-nominations allowed)
Nomination requirements: Written nomination statement and two letters of support

Recipients will be recognized campuswide in April 2026.

Campus Sustainability Awards

These awards honor individuals, teams and departments advancing environmental stewardship, social equity and sustainable practices at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��.

Deadline: March 15, 2026
Prize: Campus recognition at the Campus Sustainability Summit on April 15th
Nominees eligible: Students, faculty, staff, teams and departments
Nominators eligible: Students, faculty and staff
Nomination requirements: Written nomination describing sustainability impact

CU Involvement Awards

The CU Involvement Awards celebrate leadership and engagement that positively impact student life and the broader campus community.

Deadline: March 8, 2026
Prize: Recognition at the annual awards ceremony
Nominees eligible: Students, student organizations, faculty and staff contributing to campus involvement
Nominators eligible: Students, faculty and staff
Nomination requirements: Short written statement outlining leadership and impact

Marinus Smith Awards

The Marinus Smith Awards recognize faculty and staff who have made a meaningful difference in students’ lives through mentorship, teaching and support.

Deadline: March 11, 2026
Prize: Campus recognition
Nominees eligible: ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� faculty and staff
Nominators eligible: Students and families
Nomination requirements: Written nomination describing the nominee’s impact on a student’s experience

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Find Success in Your Internship! - 3/5 1-2pm

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:28:01 +0000

Find Success in Your Internship! - 3/5 1-2pm Puttroff, Mont… Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:28

[CU Events Calendar] As many students begin or plan to begin internships, CU wants students to be aware of the resources available for students to maximize their opportunities. This will be the first of three workshops designed to help students boost professional growth, build real skills, and overall make the most of their internships.

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IAFS Global Engagement & Service Award - Deadline 4/1

Eileen Brown — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:12:14 +0000

IAFS Global Engagement & Service Award - Deadline 4/1 Eileen Brown Wed, 03/04/2026 - 12:12

We’re thrilled to officially launch the IAFS Global Engagement & Service Award — and nominations are now open!

This new annual award recognizes a graduating IAFS major who has gone beyond the classroom to engage global or transnational issues — through internships, research, service, fieldwork, or community and globally focused organizations. Contributions can be big or small, local or international, and formal leadership roles aren’t required to make an impact.

The deadline to submit complete nominations is April 1. Full eligibility details, selection criteria, and the nomination form are available on the IAFS Global Engagement & Service Award website.

Award highlights:

$1,000 cash award (as funding allows)
Open to graduating IAFS majors in good academic standing
- Please note this award is not open to IAFS minors

The process is simple:

Submit a Nomination Form, including a short Nomination Statement (400-600 words)
Self-nominations require one reference statement from a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� faculty or staff member, or by a supervisor or community partner from the relevant organization or experience
The awardee will be notified in late April and will be recognized at the IAFS Spring Graduation Ceremony

Know a graduating IAFS major whose work reflects deep commitment and real-world impact? We encourage you to nominate them! If you are a graduating IAFS major, you are also welcome to nominate yourself!

We’re proud of the many ways IAFS students bring international affairs to life through meaningful engagement — and we can’t wait to celebrate this year’s recipient.

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Thriving in Morocco: Anna Lazewski's Global Grants Story

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Thriving in Morocco: Anna Lazewski's Global Grants Story Puttroff, Mont… Tue, 03/03/2026 - 16:00

Anna Lazewski, IAFS honors student, Global Grant recipient, and a President's Leadership Scholar, is spending Spring 2026 in Rabat, Morocco through the CIEE Morocco: Rabat Language & Culture program. She is already immersing herself in Moroccan culture through practicing new languages, attending traditional weddings, and engaging with local leaders. Read her experience below!

"Studying abroad in Rabat, Morocco has been an incredibly linguistically and culturally immerse experience! I began the program with a two week-long, fifty-hour language intensive in Darija, the Moroccan dialect of Arabic, and began learning Modern Standard Arabic as well. Alongside speaking French in everyday situations and with my host family, I have been able to put my Arabic learning into practice at local shops and markets. It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to communicate with people in three different languages at a time (English, French, Arabic)!

My coursework also includes a class on contemporary Moroccan society and culture, where we have been learning about topics from architecture and art, the ethnic makeup of Morocco, how to prepare traditional cuisine, and more. Additionally, I am currently taking a class about gender issues in Morocco, and it has been thought provoking to learn about gender roles and feminism across the country. Many people who have never been to Morocco believe that women are very oppressed here, when in reality, that is not the case.

A large component of my study abroad experience has been conducting independent research as a part of my honors thesis: Understanding Barriers to Sustainable Agriculture Practices in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Region. I am conducting interviews with farmers, consumers, and local leaders to understand attitudes towards climate change, food security, and sustainable livelihoods as it relates to Morocco’s agricultural sector. From chatting about crop yields over Moroccan mint tea to hearing farmers talk passionately about their livelihoods, this experience has been so much fun and helped me grow as a leader. I’d like to thank Dr. Karen Bailey for all of her support on my thesis project.

I have also been fortunate to travel around Morocco during my first month here. From playing soccer with kids in the High Atlas Mountains to exploring the medinas of Marrakech, it has been exciting to explore new cultures. I’ve also been enjoying exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Kasbah of the Oudaias and Madersa Ben Youssef.

A big highlight of my trip was also going to a Moroccan wedding in Sale! My host family helped me get fitted for beautiful traditional clothing, learn how to dance to Chabbi music, and graciously invited me to celebrate the wedding with them! It was 13 hours of music, wedding traditions, and even celebrity musician appearances! I am so excited for what’s to come next on my study abroad journey."

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From Internship to SAIS: Emma Sanderson’s Path in Foreign Policy

Eileen Brown — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:10:29 +0000

From Internship to SAIS: Emma Sanderson’s Path in Foreign Policy Eileen Brown Mon, 03/02/2026 - 11:10

We recently spoke with Emma Sanderson (IAFS & SPAN ’21) about her experience in the IAFS Internship Program and how it helped launch her career in foreign policy. Emma is now a second-year master’s student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she’s a Public Service Fellow - a program that provided full tuition support and made graduate school a reality. She’s excited to share insights about both the IAFS Internship Program and the Fellowship with students interested in following a similar path - connect with Emma via LinkedIn and read Emma's "Where Are They Now?" Alumni Spotlight to learn more!

SAIS Public Service Fellows - Scholarship Program

Emma is a SAIS Public Service Fellow - a program for Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) who want to work in public service. The scholarship provides full tuition support. Learn more on the SAIS Public Service Fellows website.

What made you decide to do an internship and participate in the IAFS Internship Program (IAFS 4930: Internship in International Affairs)?

Coming from Oregon, I didn’t have any built-in connections to the foreign policy world and honestly didn’t know how people broke into the field. Being able to tie academic credit to an internship made it feel both accessible and worthwhile, especially since mine was virtual. The program also encouraged me to network and treat the internship as more than a resume bullet point—which ended up being critical in landing my first full-time job after undergrad!

What advice would you give current IAFS students who are searching for internships?

Apply broadly and look beyond the most obvious organizations. If you’re interested in a specific region or issue, there’s probably a think tank or policy team focused on it - seek them out. Read their work, reach out with thoughtful questions or comments, and don’t be afraid to network with people earlier in their careers; they’re often the most responsive and remember exactly what it’s like to be in your position.

Also, be open to roles outside of your preferred topical niche - communications, operations, or administrative positions can be great entry points. Getting a foot in the door matters. And if you’re interested in US foreign policy, don’t downplay coming from Colorado or outside the DC bubble. Your perspective as an “outsider” to the DC world can be very attractive to organizations here!

How did your experiences at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� prepare you for the academic and professional expectations of Johns Hopkins SAIS?

CU gave me flexibility - academically and professionally - that I didn’t fully appreciate until later. There were moments when I thought I needed to specialize early, but over time I’ve come to see real value in being a generalist. That foundation has helped me adapt quickly at SAIS and feel comfortable engaging across different issue areas.

Were there any unexpected challenges you faced early in your career, and how did you navigate them?

I felt a lot of pressure after graduation to move straight into graduate school or to follow a very linear timeline. One year of work turned into three, and I’m incredibly grateful for that time. It gave me space to grow professionally and personally. At the same time, I had to be honest with myself about when additional education would be necessary to keep progressing (especially in the research space!). Constantly reassessing that balance was challenging, but it ultimately worked out better than I could have planned.

If you could give one piece of advice to IAFS students right now, what would it be?

Build relationships - intentionally and early. Professors, alumni, friends of friends, and mentors are the people who will open doors, offer guidance, and eventually write recommendations for you. Asking for help can feel uncomfortable, but everyone in this field has relied on others at some point. Do it thoughtfully and make sure to pay it forward when you can.

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IAFS Internship Program Spotlight: Rodayna Eissa’s Work with the Mwebaza Foundation

Puttroff, Monty (Exchange) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

IAFS Internship Program Spotlight: Rodayna Eissa’s Work with the Mwebaza Foundation Puttroff, Mont… Mon, 03/02/2026 - 09:00

Rodayna Eissa is a senior International Affairs student with a geographic concentration on Africa and the Middle East, and she is also completing the Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies (PACS) certificate. She is currently in the IAFS Internship Program, working with the Mwebaza Foundation. We recently interviewed Rodayna to learn more about her experience in the IAFS Internship Program.

Why did you decide to do an internship? Or what made you want to apply for the IAFS Internship Program?

I decided to apply for an internship and participate in the internship program, because I thought it would be a great way to apply what I had been learning in a more real life setting that would allow me to get a glimpse into part of the field of work before graduation.

What does The Mwebaza Foundation do and what sort of work or projects do you work on as an intern?

The main goals of the Mwebaza Foundation are to educate and connect kids in Uganda and Colorado in order to foster a sense of global citizenship in the kids through education.

A large part of my internship this semester has been joining the organization at the elementary schools they partner with in Colorado when they give lessons to listen in and talk to the students. I observe the conversations that the kids have, their responses to the lessons, and the work they produce in order to assess if they are grasping what is being taught, connecting to the lessons, and look for strengths and areas of improvement. I've also worked with the organization to create rubrics to assess these things and do independent work looking through the different projects the kids do to continue the assessments.

What’s been your favorite aspect of working with The Mwebaza Foundation so far?

I've loved seeing how the kids we work with, especially the younger kids, are so enraptured by the lessons.

It's been a pleasure and a privilege to see how much impact the organization can really have on the kids that they work with and inspire them to be more globally aware and empathetic.

What has been the most challenging thing as an intern and how have you dealt with it?

Balancing my schedule has easily been the hardest part of this experience. As a full-time student who is also working and participating in the internship, finding ways to ensure that I am putting maximum effort into everything and am getting the most out of all of my experiences has been incredibly overwhelming at times. I've gotten more consistent with using a calendar that keeps all of my responsibilities clearly outlined and asking for help when I need it rather than trying to tough it out.

What advice would you give students who want to make the most out of their internship experience?

Lean on the people around you. Your mentors are there to help, and they want to see you succeed. Your support system outside the internship is also just as important. And allow yourself some leeway to be human. Putting 110% effort into everything all the time isn't possible.

Find an internship that you are truly passionate about and putting in the work won't feel like an extra burden on your already busy student schedule. As long as you care about the work that you are doing and you're truly putting in your best effort, everyone around you can see it and you can make a difference. Internships with the right organization are so incredibly rewarding in so many ways.

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