Robin Kniech, Former Denver City Council Member, Becomes Director of New Directions Program

Published: Aug. 30, 2024
Robin Kniech, Director of CU Denver Political Science's New Directions Program

The Political Science Department recently hired an exciting new Director for the New Directions Graduate program focused on Public, Non-Profit, and Community Leadership, Robin Kniech. 

Robin was an at-large Denver City Council member for 12 years (through July 2023), where she became a leader in affordable housing policy and worked to raise Denver’s minimum wage, among many other achievements. She holds a J.D., has university teaching experience, has been a columnist with The Denver Post, and has recently worked as a fellow with the Bell Policy Center. Robin has a website, robinkniech.net, with more information on her policy work from her time on Denver City Council.

First elected in 2011, Robin was the first out LGBTQ member to serve on Council, and by 2023 she was the longest serving out LGBTQ elected officeholder in the state of Colorado. A City Council Proclamation was issued July 2023 honoring Robin’s work.

It is exciting to have such an accomplished and pace-setting professional join the CU Denver Political Science Department and helm the New Directions program.