Duke's Sanford March Memo

Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends,

We recognize that this is a challenging time for many of you, particularly those impacted by the recent reductions in the federal workforce. Career transitions—whether unexpected or planned—can bring uncertainty and anxiety, and we want you to know that you are not alone. The Sanford community is here to support you.

Even if you are not personally affected, many of your fellow Sanford alumni are facing difficult transitions, and this is a moment for us to come together as a community.

While the Sanford community is here to help, there is also tremendous strength in the 203,000+ Duke alumni network, and we want to ensure you feel connected to this vast and supportive group. Your Duke affiliation extends far beyond Sanford, offering countless opportunities for mentorship, career growth, and professional connections.

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 time.

Click Here for Resources and To Read the Full Dean's Blog

Manoj Mohanan

Interim Dean and Creed C. Black Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy

Sanford Alumni and Student Mixer

March 18, 5:30 – 7:00 PM ET

Fleishman Commons, Duke Sanford

Calling all Duke Sanford Alumni in the Triangle - please join us for an evening of networking.

We hope this event will be a chance for you to see some old friends, as well as help students learn from alumni working in the policy space through networking. This event is co-hosted by the Sanford Career Services and the Sanford Development and Alumni Relations office.

Click Here to Register and to Learn More

Tackling Polarization Through Civil Discourse

April 3, 6:30 – 8:30 PM ET, New York City

Join us as we learn about the work of Duke’s Civil Discourse Project. Sanford Professor and Director of Polis: Center for Politics Abdullah Antepli will lead a discussion highlighting the future of the project and the unique opportunity it provides to Sanford and Duke.

Professor Antepli will share ways we can engage in healthy exchanges across differences, why the work of civil discourse is vital for our future and highlights the role that Duke and its alumni can play in strengthening democracy and civil discourse.

Click Here to Register and to Learn More

Duke Reunion 2025

March 28-30, Duke Campus

Sanford Serves for Duke Children’s will be one of the events featured during the weekend. Guests are invited to join the Sanford Development and Alumni Relations team for dessert and networking as we support Duke Children’s – we will be creating patient name signs and socks. Sanford believes in planting seeds of change within our communities and looks forward to supporting Duke Children’s with you!

Click Here to Register and To Learn More

3rd Annual Book Drive and Pop-Up Sale,

Benefiting Turning the Page

Book Drive: April 5-26, Greater D.C. Region

Pop-Up Sale: May 3, Rosslyn, VA

During the month of April, join Sanford Serves to once again support Turning the Page, a local nonprofit

co-founded by Sanford alumnus Jason King PPS'94, which serves to maximize parents' and caregivers' involvement in their children's learning. We will be supporting this philanthropy by collecting used books, CD's, DVD's and vinyl at drop-off points throughout the region.

Registration and More Information to Be Released in the Coming Weeks.

Crown Distinguished Lecture: Food for Thought, Choice, and Dignity

March 25, 5:30-6:30 pm ET, Sanford Fleishman Commons

A Place at the Table for everyone--It's time to reinvent the way we feed those in need. Maggie Kane, founder and executive director of Raleigh's A Place at the Table, will explain how a pay-what-you-can café has brought dignity, choice, and friendship throughout an urban community by inviting everyone to have a place at the table.

Click Here to Register and To Learn More

Annual DC Summer Social

May 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET, Duke in D.C. Rooftop

Registration and details to come

What Role Does Civil Discourse Play in Higher Education?

May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 PM CT, Nashville, TN

Registration and details to come

We set out to collectively serve 100 hours of service for 100 years of Duke. To mark the remaining of our centennial year and in honor of the 100th Duke class graduating in May 2025, our new goal is to have 100 more Duke alumni join #SanfordServes!

Have you been wanting to join the initiative and receive a t-shirt? We invite you to come together around a public service mission and service-learning opportunity of your choosing to commit your time and resources to addressing this opportunity and to reflect how you, as an engaged citizen, can show leadership in moving your community forward.

Ivan Urlaub MPP’04 MEM’04

Principal at Urlaub Strategies

The leader in sustainable policy talks about how Sanford taught him the potential of good policy.

For Ivan, policy is more than just rules and regulations—it’s possibility. With a Master of Public Policy from the Sanford School and a Master of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School at Duke, Ivan has spent his career shaping the future of clean energy, driving economic development, and ensuring that policy serves as a bridge between ambition and action.

Over more than two decades, he has worked at the intersection of energy policy, regulation, and economics, serving as Executive Director of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) for 14 years before starting a business in strategy and innovation leadership. Today, he is Principal of Urlaub Strategies, where he thrives on collaborating with non-profit, investment, and clean technology firms to develop systemic policy strategy and capacity building.

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?

Thank you to our amazing alumni who recently volunteered!

Alison Goetsch MPP'09 - Brittany Gabriel MPP'24 - Maria Cristina Capelo MPP'07

Nina Thomas-Diggs MPP'14 - Rachael Grainger MPP'23

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. 

Resources for Alumni in Job Transitions

Sanford Career Services Alumni Page

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.

Power Shift Summit 2025

March 28, 11:15 - 5:00 PM ET, Duke Sanford

A benefit to being a Sanford alum is the opportunity to connect with current Sanford students. The Duke Tech Policy Club is inviting all Sanford alumni to join them for a day of engaging conversations advancing equity in tech policy.

Click Here to Learn More and to Register