Nonprofit management & leadership
Nonprofit organizations play an essential role in society by providing goods, services, and connections that might not otherwise be available. School of Public Affairs faculty conduct research on multiple aspects of the nonprofit sector, including philanthropy, nonprofit governance and financial management, social entrepreneurship, and the ways in which nonprofits use collaborations and networks to achieve their missions.
Leadership training spotlight
Meet DCLF instructor Merrick Weaver
In 2018, the Denver Community Leadership Forum (DCLF) was rejuvenated after a short hiatus. The curriculum was revamped and new faculty were engaged. In this video, DCLF director Lisa VanRaemdonck interviews DCLF faculty member Merrick Weaver about the concept of “learning in public” and why it is an important part of leadership development.
Latest news on nonprofit management & leadership
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CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs: For 50 Years, a Place to Lead, Solve, and ChangeOpens in a new window
Feb 28, 2023This year, as CU Denver celebrates its own golden anniversary, SPA is also celebrating 50 years of education, research, and outreach that helps cities and communities operate better and more equitably.Opens in a new window Full story -
What is the Difference between Public Policy and Public Administration?Opens in a new window
Feb 28, 2023Look around you: From roads that link neighborhoods to city governments that introduce recycling programs, to people that raise funds to build playgrounds and concert venues, our world is shaped by civics and public affairs. And students who are interested in a career in these sectors can make big impacts in their communities. At CU Denver, students can choose an educational path that focuses on public administration or public affairs—but how do these degree choices differ?Opens in a new window Full story -
Economic Development Class Strengthens San Luis Valley Communities throughout the years
Nov 16, 2022Since 2017, students in Randy Harrison’s ‘Economic Development’ class (PUAD 5630) have had the opportunity to engage with Colorado communities in an experience unlike any felt in a typical classroom. Through its partnership with Downtown Colorado, Inc., this SPA course allows students to become project coordinators in a process known as the Colorado Challenge Program; here, students connect with community members and experts in the field to establish a plan of work to engage public, private, and non-profit partners in addressing a significant community challenge over the course of their semester. Through their partnership, SPA students and DCI have connected with and created initiatives for almost 30 Colorado communities.Full story
Alumni stories
Our School of Public Affairs alumni make a huge impact in Colorado and beyond! Read their stories.
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Six Questions for MPA ’22 Alum Yazmin Castillo, Development Coordinator at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
Feb 14, 2024 byYazmin Castillo currently works on the development team at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, where she has had the privilege of contributing to impactful projects aimed at inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Her journey with Girls Inc. began nearly 8 years ago as a work-study student through CU Denver, and since then, Yazmin has worn many hats within the organization.Full story -
Six Questions for MPA ’09 Alum Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Director at Community Solutions
Jan 31, 2024 byAs a Director at Community Solutions, Melanie works directly with communities and partners to build and improve systems to end homelessness using data, quality improvement and problem-solving tools from multiple sectors. She is a leader on the Built for Zero team, where she oversees a portfolio of large-scale change partnerships and social impact investments in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining Community Solutions in 2014, Melanie spent six years with the City and County of Denver where she served as the Partnerships Manager for Denver’s Road Home, focusing on policy development, regional collaboration and strategic partnerships.Full story -
Six Questions for MPA ’91 and Rocky ’00 Alum Chuck Reid, Founder of The Choice Is Yours
Jan 17, 2024 byBeginning as a Traffic Engineering intern in Englewood in 1989 and leaving as the Assistant City Manager 5 years later, Chuck Reid also served as Fraser’s town manager from 1995-2004 and Federal Heights’ City Manager from 2004-2007. Hopping then to the private sector, he spent 13 years at CliftonLarsonAllen providing outsourced management to mainly Title 32 entities, and then spent two years working full-time for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority. Following the pandemic, Chuck took a couple years off from work, and this year opened The Choice Is Yours, LLP, which provides contract services to local governments and nonprofit organizations.Full story -
Five Questions for SPA Alum Naureen Singh, Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center; Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs
Nov 15, 2023 byNaureen Singh is a Youth Support and Development Specialist at the Asian Pacific Development Center and the Policy Director of Colorado Sikhs. Naureen has also earned her commission and currently works on addressing claims of unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment in the United States Air Force. She graduated with her Master of Criminal Justice degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Singh has extensive professional experience with grassroots organizing, interfaith coalition building, and community building. Recently, she has been selected to lead the Colorado Sikh History Project.Full story -
Six Questions for SPA Alum Monica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver
Nov 1, 2023 byMonica Cutler, Associate Director of Advancement Communications at CU Denver, supports the work of the entire CU Denver Advancement team primarily in digital marketing, which includes mass emails, event registrations, social media outreach, and website management. She discusses what's meaningful about her career, how her education at the School of Public Affairs has impacted her work, and more.Full story -
Five Questions for SPA Alum Jane Hansberry, former Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs
Oct 18, 2023 byRetired Associate Clinical Professor Jane Hansberry discusses her public service career, changes in the field, and memories from her time at the School of Public Affairs.Full story -
A multi-generational family of alumni reminisces about their shared appreciation of their time at the School of Public Affairs
Aug 21, 2023 byThe School of Public Affairs recently had the honor of sitting down with a unique trio of alumni – Elsa Holguín (MPA '11), her husband Ed Lucero (MPA '98), and her daughter Denise Gomez (MPA '16) – a multi-generational example of the impact of SPA’s programs in the greater community.Full story -
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Six Questions for SPA Alum Tony Frank, Director of Business Development for PCs for People
Jun 29, 2023Tony Frank is the Director of Business Development for PCs for People. He is based in the Denver office where he develops partnerships with businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, affordable housing organizations, schools, and other community groups to ensure PCs for People is maximizing the impact of providing affordable computers and low-cost internet across Colorado. He holds a Master of Public Administration with a Local Government Policy concentration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs.Full story -
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Six Questions for SPA Alum Melinda Pollack, Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners
Jun 23, 2023Melinda Pollack, Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners, provides strategic and executional leadership on critical business priorities and leads innovation efforts which will expand Blue Meridian’s work as it evolves. She explores new philanthropic investment opportunities, leads due diligence on potential Blue Meridian investees, and manages relationships with current investees, with a focus on Place Matters. Melinda earned a BA at George Washington University and an MPA from the University of Colorado, Denver.Full story -
Six Questions for SPA Alum Anneliese Steel, Senior Director of Public Affairs for Colorado Concern
Jun 7, 2023Anneliese Steel is the Senior Director of Public Affairs for Colorado Concern, an executive alliance committed to protecting and enhancing the Centennial state's business economy. She manages a robust policy portfolio, including issue research, legislative drafting, lobbying, and public testimony, along with member and media relations. She helped champion the successful passage of $5.3 billion dollars in funding for the 10-Year Transportation Plan, secure over $700 million in property tax relief, achieve substantial occupational licensing reform, and create a new rulemaking transparency website for the state of Colorado.Full story -
MPA alumni share experiences leading Colorado nonprofits during COVID-19 pandemic
Sep 8, 2020 bySchool of Public Affairs alumni Annie Davies (MPA ’03), Engagement Director Western U.S., at the United Way (formerly Executive Director of United Way Larimer County), and Rachel Fuchs (MPA ’16), Director of Partner Services at Intercambio, recently answered questions on how they, as nonprofit leaders, continue to lead their organizations through challenging times and into the future.Full story -
DCLF Alumni Spotlight: Terrell Curtis
Aug 4, 2020 byTerry Curtis, Associate Investment Director, Family Economic Security, Gary Community Investments, shares her experiences of participating in the School of Public Affairs Denver Community Leadership Forum.Full story -
DCLF Alumni Spotlight: Emily Bustos
Aug 4, 2020 byEmily Bustos, CEO, Denver’s Early Childhood Council, shares her experiences of participating in the School of Public Affairs Denver Community Leadership Forum.Full story