Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends,
As the academic year draws to a close, there's a familiar energy on campus: a blend of intense focus during final projects and exams and the hopeful anticipation surrounding Commencement. It’s a time that naturally leads to reflection on our shared journey and the path ahead. For us at Sanford, it reinforces our commitment to preparing leaders equipped to tackle complex challenges with bold ideas and a dedication to public service.
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Looking forward requires reflection, strategic planning, and clear communication about our priorities. To that end, I'm excited to share a new development: the launch of Sanford's new campaign website. This site is designed as a window into our vision for the future and how we are focusing our efforts to strengthen the core pillars of our mission – research, teaching, and engagement.
The central theme woven throughout the site is "Sanford: Built for Connection, Collaboration & Community." This reflects our fundamental belief that policy solutions are most potent when diverse perspectives come together. It highlights Sanford’s unique role as a hub within Duke, connecting expertise across disciplines, and aligns with the university’s broader “Made for This” focus on creation and building impactful solutions. When Terry Sanford and Joel Fleishman started this endeavor in 1971, in many ways, it was Duke's inflection point for interdisciplinary research. The "outrageous ambition" that sparked that genesis is a central rallying cry to Duke's campaign. This campaign is made for a school like Sanford.
Click Here to Read the Dean's Blog
Manoj Mohanan
Interim Dean and Creed C. Black Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy
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Alumni Events & Opportunities
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| Annual DC Summer Social
May 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, ET Duke in DC Rooftop
Calling all Sanford Alumni: Join us for a summer gathering on the Duke in DC rooftop. This annual event brings together Sanford Alumni, recent public policy graduates, and public policy students interning in DC for the summer.
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What Role Does Civil Discourse Play in Higher Education?
May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 PM CT, Nashville, TN
Join us for a fire-side chat discussion and reception as we learn about the work of Duke’s Civil Discourse Project and the role civil discourse plays in higher education.
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| Duke-Margolis 2025 Health Policy Conference
May 13, 12:30 – 5:00 PM ET, D.C. and Virtual
This event will bring together leading policy makers and experts from across the public health and health care sectors for an afternoon of timely keynotes and panel discussions.
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We set out to collectively serve 100 hours of service for 100 years of Duke and to honor the 100th Duke class graduating this month. From Durham to D.C., California to the United Kingdom, the response took root immediately and is still going strong. We logged over 2,000 hours within the first few months and have surpassed 3,000 hours to date. All twelve Duke schools and colleges have joined #SanfordServes. Whether dedicating 30 minutes or several hours, the combined alumni efforts have nourished over 80 organizations across 14 states and 2 countries.
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Because of Sanford, I am Made For... |
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Jodi Ganz PPS'94
COO and GC at Belfer Management LLC
Currently serving as Co-Chair of DukeNY Regional Board and an Annual Fund Advisory Board member, Jodi embodies the spirit of giving back to the communities she holds dear. Her impressive history of Duke volunteerism started with Phoneathon as an undergrad and has since spanned numerous roles, from reunion committees and the DukeNY Women's Forum Executive Committee to the AAAC.
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Today, as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for a mission-driven, family investment firm, Jodi expertly navigates a complex landscape where no two days are the same. Her multifaceted role centers on risk management, demanding she work across teams to find commercial and practical solutions. One day might involve advising on private investments, charitable gifts, or employment law, while the next focuses on operational infrastructure like HR, IT and cyber, or the firm's strategy for integrating AI tools.
Jodi’s journey powerfully illustrates how a public policy foundation prepares graduates for versatile leadership roles that require both sharp analysis and a deep understanding of human connection.
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Each month, we want to share updates from our alumni.
Do you have a new job? Receive a promotion or an award?
Celebrating a wedding, birth, or other milestone?
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Thank you to our amazing alumni who recently volunteered!
Aden Klein PPS'24 - Amy Kramer PPS'18 - Anjali Kataria PPS'93
Chad Sarchio PPS'92 - Danielle Zapotoczny PPS'96 - Dean Ischiropoulos PPS'18 Edith Hawkins MPP'00 - JJ Johnson PPS'88 - Kavya Sekar MPP'18
Kaylene Lewek PPS'07 - Lusine Stepanyan MIDP'20 - Maggie Woods MPP'14
Matt Gerken MPP'17 - Michele Farquhar PPS'79 - Parvina Rakhimova MIDP'13 Shoghik Hovhannisyan MIDP'06 - Tiffany King PPS'00 - Tonya Robinson PPS'92 Vanessa Agudelo PPS'19
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Your participation brings invaluable knowledge and experience to the table for fellow alumni and current students, and we greatly appreciate your efforts. As a Duke alum, your unique experiences and talents have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. Consider lending your support as a volunteer to strengthen the Duke network while giving back.
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Career Advising Appointments
In light of recent federal workforce reductions and their effects across various sectors, Duke University is extending temporary career advising services to alumni adversely affected by these developments. For Duke undergraduate & Ph.D. alumni and Master’s alumni from Biostatistics, Divinity, The Graduate School, Nicholas, and Sanford.
- Alumni will request a Handshake account by visiting https://duke.joinhandshake.com/login (to expedite the process we suggest you sign up for an @alumni.duke.edu email account.)
- Refer to the Getting Started with Handshake article for more information.
- Duke Career Center staff will review these requests, confirm that the person requesting is a Duke alum, and grant access. Please allow 2-3 business days for verification and approval of account.
- Alumni will have access to the two designated part-time advisors via Handshake Appointment: Alumni Career Advising.
- Advisors will also provide referrals to professional school career centers if they serve alumni.
What Alumni Can Expect from Advising Appointments:
Career advising appointments will cover these topics:
- Career exploration, career transition, career decision-making, interviewing, application material reviews, negotiation strategies, networking, and job search strategies
- For questions/needs outside this scope of practice, referrals may be made to outside organizations or Duke offices, as appropriate.
We also encourage you to consider the list of Alumni Career Coaches curated by Duke Alumni Engagement and Development. These alumni are trained professional coaches you can engage to work with you in your process.
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| Resources for Alumni in Job Transitions
Sanford’s alumni network is a powerful and supportive community, and we are actively mobilizing to provide guidance and resources. If you have job leads, mentorship opportunities, or insights to share, we invite you to extend a helping hand to fellow alumni in transition. We will continue to look for ways to strengthen our network and provide meaningful assistance during this season.
Sanford’s Career Services team offers resources to alumni, in particular the latest addition of alumni in job transition resources. Check back often to access the most recent resources.
Update Your Duke Alumni Profile
Keeping your alumni profile up to date ensures that your most current information and interests are viewable to all Duke alumni. The directory allows you to filter by location, affinities at Duke, your professional connections, and more.
Utilize Ask a Blue Devil
Ask a Blue Devil is a Duke alumni resource that connects you with the best alumni experts. This tool is a way for alumni to pay it forward by offering advice and introductions or asking for advice and introductions. With over 200,000 Duke alumni around the world, this tool is a great connector.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a great way to share your professional background and highlights, all while connecting with fellow alumni. Be sure to follow Duke Sanford and explore the multiple LinkedIn groups affiliated with Duke, including Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Career Group.
CivicMatch
Civic Match by Work for America is a nonpartisan program connecting federal workers and campaign staff with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country. Connecting top public sector talent with essential local government jobs.
Supporting Federal Employees Through Change
This hub is a resource that the questions Partnership for Public Services are frequently asked about how various proposals may affect federal employees, to create a safe space for information sharing and community building, and to respond to what they need in this moment and in the months to come.
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Sanford School Alumni & Giving
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