On a warm spring afternoon in 2024, a circle of students gathered under a large sunshade in the heart of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s campus. With free Red Bulls in hand and tough political questions on their minds, they turned to Professor Robert Preuhs, Ph.D. He listened carefully, then answered in plain language, connecting national headlines to students’ everyday lives.
The event, “Ask a Professor,” was born out of campus protests that spring. It quickly became a campus mainstay, inviting faculty members across disciplines to engage students in open dialogue about current events. For Preuhs, it represented something bigger than a single program: a way to help students feel seen and empowered.
As a professor in MSU Denver’s Political Science Department, Preuhs has spent nearly two decades shaping the University’s approach to civic education. He is known for mentoring students, building community and serving as one of the most frequent faculty voices in Colorado media. Colleagues and students describe him as steady, student-focused and deeply committed to public service, qualities that have made him a changemaker for the University.
From Wisconsin to Colorado
Preuhs’ path to academia began in small Midwestern towns. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and grew up in Appleton.
After earning degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Hamline University in Minnesota, he worked in the state legislature and on campaigns. That experience sparked an interest in public policy but left him uneasy with the partisan nature of politics. He pivoted toward academia, earning a master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of New Mexico, then a doctorate in Political Science at the University of Colorado Boulder.
He joined MSU Denver in 2007. “This was exactly the kind of university I wanted to work at,” he said. “The mission of providing opportunities to students who might not otherwise have them really resonated with me.”
Rob Preuhs answers five questions about being a changemaker.
Fostering civic dialogue and community on and off campus
As department chair, Preuhs balances administrative work with teaching, mentoring and research. Associate Professor Jeremy Castle said that focus on relationships is what sets him apart. “Rob is always asking what will help students in their careers or graduate programs,” Castle said. “He also knows how to connect with students, whether they want to talk Packers football, craft beer or politics.”
That connection goes beyond the classroom. Preuhs stocks the Political Science Department’s lounge with snacks, hosts meet-and-greets and makes space for students to gather and talk. Political Science and Philosophy major Denny Palacios said those efforts create a real sense of belonging.
“Dr. Preuhs always has an open door to listen and mentor,” Palacios said. “He provides earnest feedback and asks questions that validate our identities as academics and learners. Faculty (members) like him kick doors open for our students.”
That same commitment to community has made Preuhs one of MSU Denver’s most visible faculty members in the media. He regularly offers political analysis on local and national platforms, often heading to campus for a full day of teaching after early-morning interviews. Reporters and civic groups seek him out for his expertise, built through years of research and publication in top journals such as The American Journal of Political Science and The Journal of Politics. He has been featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and on PBS.
“Media appearances weren’t anything I signed up for when I pursued a Ph.D.,” he said. “But it became clear early on that part of our role as a public university is to share what we know with the community.”
Professor Rob Preuhs in the media
MSU Political Science professor explains how ‘big, beautiful bill’ will impact Medicaid in Colorado, Denver7.
Chair of the Political Science department weighs in on unprecedented 11-way race for Denver mayor, 9News.
Looking ahead
After 17 years at MSU Denver, Preuhs remains inspired by the drive and resilience of the students he teaches. He points to examples of the growing vibrancy of the Auraria Campus — such as student housing and an expanding slate of academic programs, including the Institute for Public Service — and sees a bright future for the University’s role in Colorado’s civic life.
“I’m continually amazed at how motivated our students are,” he said. “They care about making a difference, whether that’s in public policy, law, community organizing or other fields. My job is to give them the tools and confidence to do it.”
