Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends, 

As we move through the summer at Sanford, I have been reflecting on the many ways our community continues to engage with the most pressing issues in public policy. National security has been a central theme this season, showing up in national conversations, our research, and our classrooms. In July, we welcomed General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the recently retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as an Executive-in-Residence at Duke. 

During his visit, he surprised our Master of National Security Policy (MNSP) students during their residency in Durham, taking time to greet a cohort of mid-career professionals that includes both active-duty service members and veterans. His presence is an example of a powerful connection that Sanford provides to leaders at the highest level and underscores the strength and experience our students bring to their work.

This year, our faculty have also been active contributors to national conversations around security and leadership.

Read the Full Blog

Manoj Mohanan

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

Back-to-School with PENCIL and Duke Nashville 

August 16, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CT, Nashville, TN 

Duke Alumni and Duke Friends are invited to volunteer at PENCIL’s free school supply store for Metro Nashville school teachers. 

Volunteers will assist teachers as they shop for free classroom essentials such as pencils, crayons, paper, notebooks, book bags, glue sticks and more. The group will also work to restock shelves and load supplies in cars at the DG PENCIL Box retail space in Nashville. 

Register and Learn More

More information and registration for these events will be available as each lecture date approaches. As information becomes available, we will share details on our website and social media.   

2025 Sanford Summer Reading and Listening 

Summer is a time to recharge, reflect—and catch up on reading and listening. Whether you’re curled up on the coast with a book in hand, multitasking with a podcast during your commute, or simply looking to stay connected to the big ideas shaping public life, the Sanford School has you covered.

This year’s list features thought-provoking new books authored by Sanford faculty as well as podcasts, talks, and media appearances that made waves in 2024–25. Here’s what our faculty have been writing, reading, and discussing with the world. 

Read Along

The Sanford Mentoring Program is recruiting MIDP, MPP, and PPS alumni for the upcoming academic year. The program provides MPP students and MIDP fellows the opportunity to develop a partnership with Sanford’s alumni network. The goal is to offer opportunities for relationship building and guidance during student’s last year as they navigate their future as policymakers. Mentors are responsible for meeting with their mentees monthly from October to April - meetings can include phone calls, video calls, or in-person meetings when applicable.    

Rob Hammock PPS'93

Vice President of Lending

Mercy Community Capital

After graduating in 1993, Rob began building a career rooted in the same principles he had sharpened at Sanford: discipline, rigor, and a deep commitment to justice. Today, he is focused on affordable housing and community infrastructure. His team works with developers serving low-income families, seniors, farm workers, and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Learn More About Rob's Journey

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?

Sanford alumni serve in a variety of ways. You are invited to support Sanford and our global alumni community in critical roles that will contribute to the growth, leadership and future of our program. Join us as a regional leader working with other alumni or assisting with a variety of student needs. Share your expertise as a career panelist, hire a student intern, host a regional event, serve as a fundraising ambassador, or share your story.

Sanford School Alumni & Giving 

Copyright (C) 2025 SSPP Duke, all rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Sanford community.

Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
201 Science Drive
Durham, NC, 27708, United States