Maria Diaz Mize is Dominican-American and has lived in New York City, Ohio, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Maria is currently on her fourth year of working for City and County of Denver as a Pretrial Services Officer. In addition to her duties, Maria is the co-chair of her agency’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. Previously, she has worked in the technology and media industries. Maria currently lives in Denver with her husband and their 8-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. Maria is getting ready to pursue a doctoral degree in Criminology at Florida State University.

What inspired you to pursue a career in public service? 

I’ve always wanted to make an impact, and public service seemed like the best route to take. While I loved working in tech and media, I wanted to be able to know that my efforts were affecting the community at large. 

What has been most meaningful to you about your career?   

I’ve loved getting to know the inner workings of the criminal justice system – while it’s great to learn the theory in classes, nothing compares to being in the field! I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know a huge cross-section of the Denver population. 

What part of your education at the School of Public Affairs has had the greatest impact on your work?  

My Statistics classes have given me a data-driven view which has affected my work and made me a more critical thinker. 

What is your favorite memory of the School of Public Affairs?  

I received an opportunity to present at a conference during my time at SPA, which was a great experience as I was able to work on my own research and analyze my own data. It meant traveling out of state and getting to meet some interesting people. I’ve also loved getting to know my fellow students and faculty.

Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges that your field faces?  

Our biggest challenge is how to balance the need for public safety with the need for reforms. 

What advice would you give to current students and professional development program participants at the School of Public Affairs?

Take advantage of all the resources CU Denver has to offer, especially the library and the Writing Center. They were truly invaluable to me, especially when completing my capstone. Don’t be scared to ask questions and get to know faculty; they are here to help and have been invaluable mentors.