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Camden Dempsey

���������� Boulder student Camden Dempsey is one of 150 students selected for the prestigious graduate fellowship program. Dempsey, who graduated with a bachelor’s in finance and marketing last year and is now pursuing a master’s in real estate, was selected from a pool of over 5,800 candidates worldwide, the highest number of applicants in its 11-year history.

Schwarzman Scholars supports up to 200 Scholars annually from around the world for a one-year master’s in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University. Scholars chosen for this highly selective program will live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion.

As a double Buff, Boettcher Scholar and Leeds Scholar, Dempsey is proud to represent ���������� Boulder in Beijing. “Choosing ���������� was the best decision of my life,” Dempsey said. “I truly bleed black and gold.”

Dempsey also extends gratitude to the Office of Top Scholarships. His advice for a student who might be interested in applying for a scholarship program is to “chase purpose, meaning and what genuinely aligns with your ambitions.”

Learn more about Dempsey, his academic achievements and why he pursues each new opportunity with positivity.

How did you choose ���������� Boulder for your studies?

The Boettcher Scholarship and the opportunity to play football at ���������� initially brought me to Leeds, along with my family connection. Both of my parents are double Buffs, and my family has had season tickets since 1967, so ���������� has always felt like home.

Over the course of your academic career, you have been the recipient of several honors and achievements. What is the driving factor behind your success?

Curiosity, accountability and taking full advantage of every opportunity. Once something catches my interest, I go all in. Being surrounded by strong mentors, teammates and peers has created a high bar for my own performance.

Football taught me discipline, consistency and how to perform under pressure. It also taught me that talent means nothing without preparation and follow-through. Lastly, I’ve learned the value of saying yes, meeting new people and building genuine relationships in the Boulder community. You never know what opportunity will show up next.

How did your interest in Chinese culture originate? What are you hoping to experience during your year in Beijing?

My interest in China began in 2015 when I took my first trip to Shanghai and Beijing and became fascinated by the language, culture and history. Before COVID, my family and I traveled to China more than 10 times, partially connected to my Eagle Scout project and partially for exploration. I even applied and was accepted to NYU Shanghai in high school.

Over time, I became deeply interested in how China’s economic transformation intersects with culture, entrepreneurship and global development. While other opportunities pulled my attention for a few years, I always knew I wanted to return to this passion.

This fall, I’ll be studying in Beijing as part of the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University alongside students from around the world. I’m excited to deepen my Mandarin, immerse myself in the culture and better understand how business, policy and innovation operate inside China. I’m especially interested in how emerging markets develop, how capital shapes cities and how cross-cultural leadership works in practice. And yes, I am extremely excited about the food.

Is there anyone in particular you would like to thank or acknowledge in your achievement?

I’m incredibly grateful to the Boettcher Foundation for believing in me and investing in my education. I also want to thank the faculty, professors and mentors at Leeds and the Deming Center who challenged me to think bigger and become the best version of myself, specifically Beverly Karns, Brad Werner, Michael Jennings, Shaun Davies and Deborah Viles.

I’m thankful for Coach Prime, Rick George, my coaches and my amazing teammates for their support throughout my college career. Balancing Division I athletics with academics teaches you a lot, and they’ve been a defining part of my experience. And finally, my mom, dad, amazing sister and friends who have supported me every step of the way.

What’s next for you?

In the short term, I plan to travel and ski more now that football no longer dominates my schedule. After completing my master’s degree, I’ll prepare for an incredible year in Beijing with the Schwarzman Scholars program studying global affairs and leadership.

Long term, I hope to work at the intersection of real estate, technology, global markets and diplomacy, with a focus on cross-border innovation. More than anything, I’m excited to keep learning, building and meeting people who challenge how I think about the world.