Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends,

On behalf of the Development & Alumni Relations team, Happy New Year. Earlier this week, I attended Duke’s Centennial Celebration Kick-off. As I sat in Cameron waiting for the program to begin, I was reminded of my first impressions of Duke, formed during two days of interviews with faculty and staff from across campus in 2000. There was something special about this community of smart, hardworking people committed to moving Duke and the world forward. Duke had me at hello. 

During the Centennial Kick-off, the story of Duke’s past, present and aspirations for the future was shared. The stories of alumni, faculty, students, staff and friends included powerful examples of interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge in service to society. These signature strengths of Duke University, which trace their origins to 1972, and Terry Sanford’s vision for applied, interdisciplinary public policy education founded on a new set of ideas. Ideas that continue to resonate and propel Duke and Sanford forward. 

Duke’s Centennial is an opportunity to celebrate the people, programs and impact this bold interdisciplinary initiative, known today as the Sanford School of Public Policy, has had on Duke, the nation and the world.   

And we are just getting started. Duke’s future will be shaped in part by alumni. Read on to learn about ways you can engage. Be sure to join us on social media. Here’s to Duke at 200! 

Josh Bond G'08
Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Relations

Terry Sanford is one of North Carolina and Duke’s most influential, servant-minded figures, known for his outrageous ambition and belief in service learning. He dedicated his life to ethical leadership and public life, qualities that form the core of the Duke Sanford's mission. In honor of Duke’s Centennial and the Sanford School’s namesake, we are inviting Duke alumni from all over the world to join us in committing to 100 hours of public service. 

We invite our alumni 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 on how you, as an engaged citizen, can show leadership in moving your community forward. Collectively, we will serve 100 hours, whether you set aside 30 minutes or 3 hours, your time will help us reach our goal!

Alumni Engagement 101 - Why? How?

February 13, 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST - Washington, D.C.

Are you a recent Duke Public Policy graduate? Do you miss Duke and your Duke friends? Do you wish you had more social and professional connections in D.C.?  We invite you to meet and mingle with other recent grads, along with Duke Public Policy alumni in D.C. who serve as regional leaders and engage as Duke volunteers. Join us (there will be door prizes and food!) as we share space to network amongst local alumni in the region and learn about exciting opportunities at Sanford. 

Click Here to Learn More and to Register

Sanford Alumni and Student Mixer 

February 27, 6:00 - 7:30 PM EST - Duke Campus

Calling all Duke Alumni located in the Triangle who work in the government or non-profit related sectors.  Please join us for an alumni-student networking reception. We hope this will be a chance for you to see some old friends, as well as help students learn from alumni working in the policy space. 

This event is co-hosted by Sanford Career Services and the Sanford Development and Alumni Relations office.

Click Here to RSVP 

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent – Virtual Book Discussion

March 6, 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST – Zoom

We invite our alumni to read along to Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents and join us for a discussion facilitated by Cassandra Boyd, Sanford’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Why did we select this book? Wilkerson will be on campus giving a lecture and this is a way to bring a bit of campus to our alumni everywhere.

Grab your copy today and happy reading!

Click Here to Join Us

On January 9th, Duke launched our Centennial celebration. We are marking the occasion by featuring photos of public policy alumni – THEN as Duke students and NOW as engaged alum. We are kicking off our series featuring Chad Sarchio PPS’ 92 P’25, currently a member of the Sanford Board of Visitors and Senior Counsel with the DEA.
 
Duke alum, we want to feature you! Email our alumni team at maggie.stroud@duke.edu to learn more and share your photos!

Kiera Vinson MPP'17 - Global DEI Program Director at BCG X

Kiera leads a global DEI team, orchestrating strategies for approximately 3000 employees.  But it wasn’t global tech innovation that first drove her to champion change in her world; it was a middle school classroom and students that showed her the growing inequity in our world.

As a middle school teacher in New Orleans, Kiera recognized that societal changes can materialize when compassion meets leadership, and Sanford’s mix of research and practice was the perfect way to lift others through policy.

Click here to read more about Kiera's journey as an alum

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?

Do you remember PubPol 804 (Public Policy Analysis II) and the 48 Hour Memo?

This year's MPP students will start their 72-Hour Memo tomorrow. The Sanford Development and Alumni Relations team will be hosting a breakfast for them – this is where you come in! We would like to share alumni well-wishes and encouragement with them. 

To share your wishes or an unforgettable moment from your memo experience at Duke Sanford, please click the link below. We will select two alumni who participate to receive a Sanford swag bag. 

NEW: Executive Master of Public Affairs 

Sanford is announcing the launch of an executive Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree program, designed to equip mid-career professionals with the knowledge and leadership skills needed to address complex societal challenges. The Duke executive MPA will welcome its first cohort of students in summer 2025, with applications opening in August 2024.

Click Here to Learn More about the MPA program

Duke Alumni Board Nominations

With your help, Duke Alumni Engagement and Development (AED) can recruit top alumni volunteers for board service.  The DA Board is a non-fiduciary board comprised of alumni leaders from every Duke school who serve as university citizens, representing the broad and diverse interests of all Duke Alumni. Board members serve the following primary functions in support of Alumni Engagement and Development and the greater Duke alumni community. 

Click Here to Learn More and Submit a Nomination

Hart Fellowship Program

Dukies graduating from the undergraduate program in ’22 or ’23 who are interesting in ethical leadership and community-based research, click below to learn about the 10-month Hart Fellowship program. The application deadline is January 17.

Click Here for Hart Fellowship Application

Thank you to our amazing alumni volunteers who served in December.

Olivia Bond MPP'22 - Antonio Butler MPP'23 - Samantha Smith MPP'23 - Meril Pothen MPP'20 - Liam Miranda MPP'21 - Rhea Ninan MPP'22 - Jonathan Osei PPS'18 - Saralyn Carcy PPS'23 - Anna Klingensmith PPS'21 - Curtis Scarpignato PPS'20

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 and strengthen the Duke network while giving back.  

Sanford School Alumni & Giving 

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