(International Affairs, 1970) is a retired U.S. Ambassador and an Honorary IAFS Board Member. With a distinguished career in diplomacy, she remains a dedicated supporter of IAFS students through the Casey Family Global Grant Scholarship, which helps fund study abroad opportunities for current IAFS students.

What sparked your interest in international affairs, and how did your time at the University of ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder shape your career path?  

A ten-week “Grand European Tour” in my early teens proved to be a game-changer.  From that moment on, I knew I was destined for a career in international affairs. ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ taught me International Politics, Diplomatic History, Economic Theory, and Global Finance, as well as two foreign languages. It also helped refine my critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. All that knowledge helped make for future success at every point along the way. 

Serving as the U.S. Ambassador to both Algeria and Tunisia, what were some of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did you navigate them?

Overseas, good security takes priority, particularly when the political climate is volatile, as was the case in Algeria. Civil strife makes for uncertainty and complicates efforts to conduct business in a normal fashion. Finding a balanced approach depended on close collaboration with the local authorities as well as with one’s own team, including Washington-based members of that team. In Tunisia, long-standing relations offered opportunities for joint programs on multiple fronts in order to enhance bilateral interests. Likewise, promotion of political inclusivity and human rights was an important part of my portfolio. That included support for Tunisia’s vibrant women’s movement. 

What advice would you offer to young women pursuing careers in international affairs and diplomacy today?

Careers in international affairs and diplomacy offer an opportunity to make a substantive difference in life. Also, there will likely never be a dull moment. Not every profession can make such claims. Go for it! As preparation, I recommend you: A) travel as much as you can; B) seek out  opportunities to demonstrate that you can live successfully in someone else’s country; C) learn to speak another language (any language will do); and D) take the Foreign Service Exam early on.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, how do you view the progress of women in diplomacy, and what steps do you believe are essential for advancing gender equality in this field?

In the early days, US diplomats were all men. Mid twentieth century, that began to change. However, unlike their male colleagues, women who elected to marry were obliged to resign from the Foreign Service. A lawsuit eventually changed that, along with other discriminatory practices. Today, women make up about 40% of the Foreign Service, though, according to the, they continue to be less well-represented in the senior ranks (approximately 30%). Continued progress for women will depend on adequate representation in the entry and mid-level ranks, along with equitable job opportunities. On an individual level, nothing succeeds like challenging assignments, dedicated service on the front lines, and, of course, unassailable professional competency. 

You established the Casey Family Global Grants Endowment to support students studying abroad. What motivated you to create this endowment, and what impact do you hope it will have on students? 

As a passionate internationalist, I am keen to promote broader understanding of the world beyond the borders of the United States. What better way to accomplish that objective than by creating a scholarship to support education abroad for IAFS majors? Learning the art of global citizenry benefits the IAFS student as well as the US at large. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Hopefully, each Global Grantee will return home with a life-long ability to appreciate better the wonders and challenges of a global world. 

Visit the and search for the Casey Family Global Grants Endowment Fund to continue Mary Ann's legacy of supporting education abroad for IAFS majors. 

Off

Off

(International Affairs, 2024) is a recent ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder graduate now pursuing a master’s degree in International Relations at the . During her time at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ, she wrote an undergraduate honors thesis, An Exclusive Entry: Analysis of the Spanish Asylum System, graduated summa cum laude honors, and was a student assistant for the International Affairs Program. 

What motivated you to pursue graduate studies in international affairs, and how has the experience been so far?

I really enjoyed studying International Affairs at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ and by the time I graduated, I knew I wasn’t ready to stop being a student. I’m passionate about learning about global affairs and issues, so pursuing a Master’s in International Relations was an easy decision for me. My experience here in Barcelona has been amazing! My studies are challenging but rewarding thanks to my professions, my peers, and the academic and personal growth I’ve had. 

How has studying in Spain postgrad influenced your understanding of global issues and international collaboration?

Studying in Spain has broadened my understanding of global issues and international collaboration in ways I never expected. In my program of roughly 200 people, I’m among only a handful of Americans which has pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways and given me new perspectives. Learning about complex topics and issues in international relations with people and professors from all over the world has drastically changed my world view. I think I used to view global issues and international collaboration in straightforward, black-and-white ways but since beginning my studies, I’ve started to understand how much nuance there is in these topics. The more I learn the more I realize there’s few concrete answers to some of the biggest questions in international affairs. The more you know the more you realize how much you don’t know!

What skills or experiences from ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder have been most valuable in your graduate studies?

ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ helped prepare me for my graduate studies in so many ways. Taking on big academic challenges such as doing the IAFS Honors Program taught me skills in writing, analysis, and time management which have been very applicable here. Most of my classes at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ required public speaking and class participation which were great experiences for me because my graduate classes have the same requirements! Many of my classmates come from backgrounds that didn’t require these skills which has made me grateful for those experiences at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ. The student assistant position I had with the IAFS Program at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ was one of the most valuable experiences I had as well. Learning how to work in a professional environment prepared me for the environment that comes with being a graduate student. Additionally, studying abroad before my junior year at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ helped prepare me for living in a new country and helped mitigate my culture shock. Overall, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ gave me lots of skills and experiences that have assisted me in my graduate studies!

Have you encountered any unique challenges or opportunities as a woman studying and working in international affairs?

There are definitely some challenges as a woman studying and working in international affairs because it is such a male-dominated field. For example, women are a minority in diplomatic positions across the world with only . Everyone in my program is very kind and respectful, but in some of my classes the men generally speak more than women so it can be intimidating to make my voice heard. I notice that when a woman starts to speak up it encourages other women to speak up too, so I always do my best to participate. I think it resonates with the professors too when women talk more which has given me opportunities to make an impression and better connect with them. 

What are your career aspirations, and how do you see yourself contributing to the field?

My career aspirations are to work for a think tank in the field of international relations. I’m interested in working for ones that conduct research and work related to the Middle East and/or Africa especially. Think tanks help inform the public of the world around them, influence policy, and further research in specific fields which is essential in international affairs. Being a part of the work and research think tanks do is my biggest professional goal.

If you could go back and give advice to yourself as a college senior, what would it be?

The biggest advice I would give myself as a college senior is to relax, let things happen naturally, and enjoy the present more. I was so nervous during my senior year about the future but I’ve come to realize that having high expectations and constantly worrying about what’s going to happen is counter-productive. Prepare for the future, but don’t obsess over it. There’s so much going on in the present to enjoy!

What role do you think women play in shaping the future of international affairs?

Women are critical in shaping the future of international affairs! Historically, women have been portrayed to have minimal roles and agency in global politics. For example, in my classes I learned how in the 1800s the practice of international humanitarianism emerged with , a woman who provided humanitarian aid to soldiers during the Crimean war. She helped create modern humanitarian aid but she is largely unknown! Rather, Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, was inspired by her work and is now largely given credit as the creator of modern humanitarianism. This is changing though… as women become globally empowered, their impact in global politics is astounding. Women are starting to become some of the most important thinkers, activists, researchers, diplomats, scholars, and hold many other essential positions in international affairs. There is a long way to go in empowering women across the world, but it’s clear that we are going to be pivotal in shaping the future of international affairs!

Learn more about the IAFS Honors Program and check out the Outstanding Honors Theses!

Off

Off

Off

Off

Off

Off

Off

Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30pm in University Club Room 4. 

Join fellow IAFS students and be part of one of the newest official student organizations on campus - the IAFS Club!

In this meeting, we'll discuss current events, so feel free to bring any topics you'd like to talk about. We'll also cover study abroad opportunities, featuring insights from a junior currently studying in Vienna and possibly a representative from the study abroad program.

More meetings, gatherings, and events are coming up this spring - so now is the perfect time to get involved! Contact Emma Baca with any questions or to learn more.

Off