In the Community BRINGING THE CLASSROOM TO THE COMMUNITY
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
At the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs, students learn about serving the public good by acting in the public good. Academic coursework is tied to real-world experience on issues currently facing our government and nonprofit sectors.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Our students give back to the community while they learn. A course in Economic Development allows students to act as consultants for Colorado small towns. A course in Grantwriting brings students together with nonprofits in need of grant funding. Criminal justice students analyze metro-area crime data to make recommendations for improvements in local criminal justice systems. Two types of classes are devoted entirely to community needs. Internships provide government and nonprofit employers with additional staff capacity while giving students valuable workplace experience. Client-based capstone projects provide graduate student consulting and research services to community agencies and organizations, at no cost to the client.
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CAPSTONE PROJECTS COMPLETED EACH YEAR
The School of Public Affairs provides leadership training to Colorado professionals and community members through programs such as the Denver Community Leadership Forum, The Rocky Mountain Leadership Program, the Network Leadership Training Academy and CiviCO.
COMMUNITY BOARD SERVICE Faculty and staff serve on boards of directors, advisory boards and committees for organizations such as AmeriCorps, Great Education Colorado, Growing Colorado Kids, Conservation Colorado and Denverarea charter schools.
VOLUNTEER DAYS The School of Public Affairs gives back to the community through faculty and staff volunteer days at organizations such as Metro Volunteers, Food Bank of the Rockies and the Wild Animal Sanctuary.
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INTERNSHIPS COMPLETED EACH YEAR
Visit publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/ partner-with-us
DR. DANIELLE VARDA
DR. LONNIE SCHAIBLE
DR. LORI HUGHES
BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TO THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
RESEARCH IN THE COMMUNITY University of Colorado Denver is a public urban research university that prides itself on serving its diverse and thriving community, and School of Public Affairs faculty research plays an important role in this mission. Dr. Danielle Varda studies how people and organizations effectively collaborate with one another to accomplish their goals, particularly in the field of public health. Dr. Varda has shared this expertise widely, working on behalf of organizations such as the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, and the Colorado Trust. Dr. Lonnie Schaible, with colleague Dr. Lori Hughes, is evaluating Colorado’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program, which allows low-level drug and prostitution offenders to opt into case management services rather than jail. Dr. Deserai Crow studies state and local environmental policy and disaster management. Her National Science Foundation-funded work brought together communities affected by Colorado’s 2013 floods to learn how to be more resilient in the face of natural disasters.
DR. DESERAI CROW
Events at the School of Public Affairs invite community members, alumni, students, faculty and staff to hear from experts and policy makers on a wide range of topics affecting public life.
• Our popular First Friday Breakfasts feature lively discussions on timely issues such as fracking, marijuana policy, and federal, state and local elections. • The Criminal Justice Series brings in speakers to discuss topics such as capital punishment, sanctuary cities and the opioid crisis. • The Education Policy and Networking Series, held in partnership with the School of Education and Human Development, explores Coloradofocused topics like school accountability, college access rates and early childhood education.
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PUBLIC EVENTS HOSTED EACH YEAR
For research information, visit publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/research-and-impact For community events, visit publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/events