news

Fall and Academic Year Global Grants Recipients

Eileen Brown — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:28:09 +0000

Fall and Academic Year Global Grants Recipients Eileen Brown Thu, 09/04/2025 - 10:28

IAFS is proud to recognize the recipients of the Global Grants Scholarship for Fall 2025 and Academic Year 2025–26! The Global Grants Committee of the IAFS Advisory Board awards students with high academic merit and financial need scholarships of up to $3,000 per term (up to $6,000 for an academic year program). By making extended international study more accessible, Global Grants help IAFS students deepen their academic and cultural learning while expanding the perspectives they bring back to ��.

This Fall and Academic Year, the Board awarded a total of $16,000 in scholarships. Four students received awards to support year-long study abroad programs:

Sienna Bendall – Regensburg, Germany
Sevilla Grinder – Seville, Spain
Georgia Sehlmeyer – Hsinchu, Taiwan
Michael Tsarevski – Yerevan, Armenia

Two students received support for semester-long programs:

Ellen Cho – Madrid, Spain
Robert Frosbauer – Metz, France

Throughout the semester, follow along as we highlight student's stories and photos through Global Grants Articles and on social media! To help sustain this impact, we invite alumni and friends to support the Global Grants Fund.

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Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Eileen Brown — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:04:28 +0000

Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Eileen Brown Tue, 09/02/2025 - 15:04

The International Affairs (IAFS) and the Peace, Conflict and Security (PACS) Programs invite students to a fireside chat with Alexandra Bell, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This informal discussion offers the opportunity to meet Alexandra, hear about her career path, learn more about the Bulletin’s work on nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies, and ask questions!

📅 Date: Monday, September 15
🕞 Time: 3:30–4:30 pm
📍 Location: CASE E422
🎤 Moderator: Michael English, Director of PACS

Students: Submit questions in advance using this Google Form.

About Alexandra Bell

Alexandra Bell is the president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. A noted policy expert and former diplomat, she oversees the Bulletin‘s publishing programs, management of the Doomsday Clock, and a growing set of activities around nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies.

Before joining the Bulletin, Alexandra Bell served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Affairs in the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS) at the U.S. Department of State. There she managed the Offices of Strategic Stability and Deterrence and Multilateral and Nuclear Affairs. From 2017 to 2021, Bell was the Senior Policy Director at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and the Council for a Livable World. Previously, Bell served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and as an Advisor in ADS, then named the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance. Before joining the Department of State in 2010, she worked on nuclear policy issues at the Ploughshares Fund and the Center for American Progress.

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Colorado Remembers 9/11: Commemoration & National Security Forum

Eileen Brown — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:39:03 +0000

Colorado Remembers 9/11: Commemoration & National Security Forum Eileen Brown Wed, 08/27/2025 - 11:39

Thursday, September 11 @ 7 PM
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex

The CELL is offering complimentary tickets to educators and students for a 9/11 tribute and national security forum, featuring:

Dr. Mark T. Esper – 27th U.S. Secretary of Defense & 23rd Secretary of the Army
Brett McGurk – Former White House Coordinator for the Middle East
Peter Bergen – CNN National Security Analyst

Hosted by Governor Jared Polis and Mayor Mike Johnston, tickets are limited. Reserve complimentary tickets here (Code: Tribute25).

For more information, visit The CELL’s website or contact events@TheCELL.org.

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Education Abroad Fair - 9/4

Eileen Brown — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:37:49 +0000

Education Abroad Fair - 9/4 Eileen Brown Mon, 08/25/2025 - 13:37

[Education Abroad] The Education Abroad Fair is on Thursday, September 4th! Join us on Thursday, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. outside in the UMC Fountain Arcade! Recently returned education abroad alumni & education abroad staff will be on hand to share what it’s like to live & learn abroad, find affordable programs, and get started on finding the program that’s right for you.

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Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Colorado @ Boulder Public Library - 9/13-14

Eileen Brown — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:32:15 +0000

Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Colorado @ Boulder Public Library - 9/13-14 Eileen Brown Mon, 08/18/2025 - 13:32

JLF Colorado is an annual international literature festival celebrating books, ideas, stories, and community. A sister festival of the world-renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, JLF Colorado has been hosted each September in Boulder since 2014 by Teamwork Arts. The festival features inspiring authors and thought leaders from across Colorado and around the world.

The event is free and open to all. Attendees are welcome to enjoy morning music, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and attend as many sessions as they like throughout the weekend. Visit the JLF Colorado website to learn more and register.

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers help make JLF Colorado possible by supporting an inclusive environment where literature and ideas can be shared freely. This is a chance to contribute to a globally recognized literary festival while gaining behind-the-scenes experience. Volunteer at JLF Colorado!

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IAFS Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher Publishes Research on European Politics

Eileen Brown — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:01:50 +0000

IAFS Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher Publishes Research on European Politics Eileen Brown Mon, 08/18/2025 - 11:01

[A&S Magazine] IAFS Teaching Professor Jeffrey Nonnemacher’s new article in the British Journal of Political Science examines how political parties in Western Europe signal their values and identities through cross-border networks known as “party families.” Read the full interview with A&S Magazine.

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Fall 2025 IAFS Fall Open House - 9/23

Eileen Brown — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:58:38 +0000

Fall 2025 IAFS Fall Open House - 9/23 Eileen Brown Wed, 08/13/2025 - 11:58

The International Affairs Program (IAFS) is putting on a Fall 2025 IAFS Open House for potential and current IAFS students, IAFS-related faculty, and anyone else with a general interest in getting to know what IAFS has to offer! This is also a great opportunity for Peace, Conflict and Security (PACS) students!

The event will take place on Tuesday, September 23rd from 12-1:30pm in the UMC South Terrace Tent. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the IAFS program, meet IAFS advisors and staff, learn about different resources and opportunities on campus.

Current Organizations/Departments who will have tables at the event:

The Open House will be a great opportunity for those apart of or interested in the IAFS program to find things that both help and interest them. The first 100 students to attend will receive an IAFS t-shirt!

We hope to see you there!

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Now Hiring: IAFS Communications & Program Assistant

Eileen Brown — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:24:48 +0000

Now Hiring: IAFS Communications & Program Assistant Eileen Brown Wed, 08/13/2025 - 11:24

The International Affairs Program (IAFS) is seeking an undergraduate Communications & Program Assistant to start in Fall 2025. This role offers hands-on experience in communications, event support, and program administration.

Open to �� undergraduate students from any major!

Work-study eligibility preferred.

Check out our Job Posting on Handshake (#10142703) for details and apply today!

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From �� to Sony Ventures: IAFS Alum Scott Shane on Innovation, Law, and Global Leadership

Eileen Brown — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:27:16 +0000

From �� to Sony Ventures: IAFS Alum Scott Shane on Innovation, Law, and Global Leadership Eileen Brown Mon, 08/04/2025 - 11:27

We recently had the chance to catch up with IAFS alum Scott Shane (IAFS & ECON '98), who shared his unique career journey from corporate law to entertainment and now tech investment with Sony Ventures. With a move to Tokyo on the horizon and a career rooted in global perspective and innovation, Scott offers valuable insights on pivoting across industries, building authentic networks, and embracing the unexpected.

Scott Shane (IAFS & ECON '98) is a Senior Investment Director at Sony Ventures, where he focuses on investing in early-stage technologies shaping the future of entertainment. After graduating from ��, he earned his law degree at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and spent eight years in corporate law before joining Sony Pictures. There, he worked on international mergers & acquisitions, strategic investments, and cross-border transactions. Driven by his passion for innovation, Scott transitioned to venture capital in 2022, joining Sony’s global investment team. This summer, he and his family are moving to Tokyo where Scott will spend the next year working at Sony’s corporate headquarters.

Can you walk us through your career journey from graduating CU to your current role with Sony Ventures? What were some of the biggest turning points?

After graduating from ��, my first job was with Wilshire Associates, an investment consulting firm that advised major pension funds, foundations, and endowments on allocating capital across private and public markets. During this time, the Internet was starting to transform industries. Inspired by that momentum, I left my corporate role to pursue entrepreneurship, launching TheBiggestGameEver.com. Unfortunately, the dot-com bubble burst not long after, and it was a humbling but important lesson in risk, timing, and resilience.

Connect with IAFS!

Do you have a unique story to share with IAFS alumni and students? Email IAFS@colorado.edu and let us know! Check out our Alumni Spotlight page for more interviews with our IAFS alumni. And don't forget to visit our Alumni & Giving page if you're looking to get involved, connect, or support IAFS.

I transitioned into executive search, joining a former Wilshire colleague to help build out a global financial services practice. We placed C-level executives across the financial sector, which gave me a deeper understanding of leadership and organizational strategy. After 2 years in executive search I felt ready to return to school, enrolling in Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Following law school, I began my legal career in the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate, and Private Equity group at Bingham McCutchen. There, I focused on mid-market deals, including some cross-border transactions.

A turning point came when I was seconded to Mitsui & Co., a major Japanese trading company. I spent 18 months on Mitsui’s legal team in Los Angeles, managing legal issues for their steel trading business and venture investments. That experience gave me my first deep exposure to Japanese business culture and shaped my understanding of how global corporations approach risk, structure deals, and build long-term value.

After returning briefly to law firm life at Bingham, I found myself drawn back to working in house and secured a position at Sony Pictures. At Sony Pictures, I spent several years leading legal transactions across M&A, joint ventures, and strategic investments. I worked closely with business leaders to form entities in China, structure partnerships with other studios worldwide, and supported investments in early-stage companies. It was a role that gave me a front-row seat to how the entertainment industry was evolving. Over time, I realized that I wanted to play a bigger role in bringing innovation to Sony. I began sourcing opportunities on my own initiative by networking with founders and investors and attending events. Eventually, that led to a more formal role within Sony Ventures.

The journey hasn’t been linear, but each experience, from investment consulting and entrepreneurship to law and strategy, has built on the last. The constant has been a curiosity about how industries change, a desire to be close to innovation, and a belief in the power of building bridges between people, companies, and cultures.

You’re about to move to Tokyo to work at Sony’s corporate headquarters - what excites you most about this next chapter, both personally and professionally?

I’ve always been drawn to global experiences, whether it was studying abroad in Spain or working in London following my semester abroad. But this next chapter feels particularly thrilling.

Professionally, I’m excited to experience working at Sony’s corporate headquarters, allowing me to further develop relationships with co-workers that until now, I’ve had limited face to face time with. In addition, I’m looking forward to building relationships with start-up founders, investors, and industry leaders across Japan and broader Asia. I believe there’s an incredible opportunity to foster cross-border collaboration between Japan and the global entertainment ecosystem. I’m committed to engaging in meaningful conversations that could lead to partnerships, investment, and creative synergies. The Japanese start-up and entertainment ecosystems are on the rise, and I’m bullish on everything from anime to gaming to entertainment technology coming out of Asia, particularly Japan. There’s so much potential here, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!

On a personal level, I’m incredibly excited for my kids to experience life abroad during their middle and high school years. As a family, we’re looking forward to diving into Japanese culture and establishing new friendships.

Looking back, how did your International Affairs degree help shape your worldview or approach to work - even if your path wasn't traditional "international affairs"?

My International Affairs degree provided me with more than just an academic foundation, it shaped the way I approach both work and life. My degree imparted to me the importance of having a global perspective and the value of diverse opinions and experiences.

Professionally, this open-mindedness has resulted in my being able to recognize opportunities where others necessarily wouldn’t. This viewpoint has been beneficial when looking at companies outside of the U.S. and in working with founders from different backgrounds.

Personally, my degree influences my societal outlook; it’s a reminder that we are all a part of a bigger community and that I have a responsibility to do my part. Over the years I’ve been committed to making a meaningful difference by giving back through a variety of organizations and causes.

Many students and early career alumni worry about needing to have their whole career path mapped out - how did you navigate uncertainty and changing interests post-graduation?

I’ve never been someone who had a perfectly mapped-out career path, and I’ve learned that’s more than okay. Early on, my job at Wilshire Associates exposed me to the investment world and gave me access to a wide range of people on both sides of the capital equation: institutional investors and the managers they entrusted with their money. That exposure planted seeds I didn’t fully understand at the time, but it created a network I could keep coming back to.

When I launched TheBiggestGameEver.com, it was those same investors who helped fund the idea. Later, in executive search, I found myself recruiting C-level financial executives, again working within that same ecosystem. And after law school, when I was practicing M&A and private equity law, I had pre-existing relationships with many of the firm’s clients, which helped me build business from day one. I eventually realized traditional law firm life wasn’t for me. However, when I moved in-house to Sony Pictures and later pivoted into venture capital, I was again drawing on that same network. What looked like pivots from the outside were often just new roles within a familiar landscape.

The takeaway: you don’t need to have all the answers right away. Focus on building strong relationships, staying curious, and recognizing that your experiences are often more connected than they seem.

What skills or mindsets do you think are most valuable for students entering the workforce today, especially in globally-connected industries?

This might be the Hollywood in me, but one of the most underrated skills in any industry, especially globally connected ones, is storytelling. Whether you're pitching a startup, leading a team, or interviewing for your first job, your ability to clearly and compellingly communicate your story (and the value you bring) can make all the difference.

Second, always be building your network. At every stage of your life and career, relationships matter. Friends, colleagues, people you meet at events, you never know who might open a door, become a client, or support your next venture. Don’t treat networking as transactional; be authentic as you build your community.

Work ethic also matters. Be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Show up prepared, stay curious, and go beyond what’s asked of you. That commitment is what sets you apart.

Finally, learn how to use AI and understand the tools, trends, and potential applications in your space. No matter your field, AI is reshaping how businesses operate.

You’ve successfully transitioned across industries - from law to entertainment to tech investment. What advice would you give students and alumni about pivoting or embracing unexpected opportunities?

If there’s something you truly want, take ownership of it and pursue it relentlessly. Don’t wait for permission or expect others to open doors for you—be your own best advocate.

Be open and recognize opportunities around you. Step outside of your comfort zone, take risks, and try something new. Sometimes that means saying yes to roles that don’t come with immediate recognition or compensation. These early investments in yourself often pay off in the long run. Think long term, stay adaptable, and focus on delivering real value wherever you are. The path may not be linear, but each step can build toward something meaningful.

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Welcome Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher to IAFS!

Eileen Brown — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Welcome Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher to IAFS! Eileen Brown Fri, 08/01/2025 - 09:00

We’re thrilled to welcome Professor Jeffrey Nonnemacher to the IAFS faculty this fall! In the 2025-2026 academic year, Prof. Nonnemacher will be teaching courses in both IAFS and the �� Honors Program on globalization, European politics, and political parties. A �� alum himself, Jeffrey earned his B.A. in International Affairs and Political Science where he wrote two honors theses (one for each major) in his senior year. As an undergraduate at CU, his favorite spots in Boulder were The Sink and Boulder Baked (when it used to be just off Pearl Street). He went on to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh after graduating from CU in 2019. Nonnemacher has always been fascinated by following elections from a young age, and in college this fascination expanded from the US to Europe as well. His research focuses on political parties, elections, the radical right, and inequality - especially in Europe - and his work has been published in West European Politics, European Union Politics, and the British Journal of Political Science among others.

In his free time, he enjoys watching his favorite shows including a continuous loop of Parks and Rec, The Office and Community, exploring the mountains throughout the Western US, and playing with his dog Rocky. He has visited every national park in the lower-48 plus Hawaii, with his favorite being Glacier, Mt. Rainier, and, of course, Rocky Mountain. Next summer, he plans to spend a month in Alaska exploring the state for the first time.

Looking for a unique take on an IAFS 4500 Senior Seminar topic? Once Spring 2026 courses are published later this fall, look for Prof. Nonnemacher's Senior Seminar - IAFS 4500: The Post-Cold War World: Sports and International Affairs. The class is informed by his enjoyment of sports, especially hockey and the Avalanche, and in true scholarly fashion, an appreciation for the global implications for uniquely international leagues like the NHL.

Please join us in welcoming Prof. Nonnemacher back to Boulder and to IAFS!

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news

Fall and Academic Year Global Grants Recipients

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Meet Alexandra Bell: Nuclear Policy Expert and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

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Colorado Remembers 9/11: Commemoration & National Security Forum

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Education Abroad Fair - 9/4

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Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) Colorado @ Boulder Public Library - 9/13-14

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IAFS Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher Publishes Research on European Politics

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Fall 2025 IAFS Fall Open House - 9/23

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Now Hiring: IAFS Communications & Program Assistant

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From ���������� to Sony Ventures: IAFS Alum Scott Shane on Innovation, Law, and Global Leadership

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Welcome Prof. Jeffrey Nonnemacher to IAFS!

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From �� to Sony Ventures: IAFS Alum Scott Shane on Innovation, Law, and Global Leadership