This is a big year for voting in Durham, as we say goodbye to our mayor of 16 years and welcome a new leader for our rapidly growing and evolving city. As you consider your own hopes for the city and engagement with local politics, we encourage you to explore the following election-related resources: Online […]
Category: Blog Posts
POLIS: Promoting What Politics Could Be
Guest post by Fritz Mayer | Director, POLIS: The Center for Political Leadership, Innovation and Service Almost four years ago, Eric Mlyn—assistant vice provost for civic engagement and executive director of DukeEngage—delivered a presentation to Sanford School of Public Policy faculty titled, “The Politics of Civic Engagement, or Is Tutoring the Solution to Education Problems in […]
Nominate a Student for the Campus Compact Community Impact Award
The North Carolina Campus Compact Community Impact Awards recognize one outstanding undergraduate student service leader from each member campus. The award may honor an individual for multiple or diverse forms of engagement including: volunteer service, service-learning, policy work, community organizing, advocacy, internships, or campus leadership. Nominees should clearly demonstrate the following: Deep commitment to partnering […]
Make Meaning in Community
Welcome to Duke and Durham, two incredibly beautiful places intertwined with one another, both eager to get to know you. I imagine news of your acceptance to Duke was exciting and full of possibilities – or perhaps your excitement was tempered with concerns about how to find your place in a new home and balance […]
Maintaining Justice (an excerpt from a recent sermon given at Duke Chapel)
The following is an excerpt from a sermon preached in Duke University Chapel on August 20, 2017 by Christy Lohr Sapp, Associate Dean for Religious Life. The full text can be found here. Christ Jesus, one of the first things we learn as children is to “do the right thing.” … Lord, show me which […]
Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Resource Guide from SPLC
The tragic events in Charlottesville have left many of us grappling with the question of how to counteract hate in our own communities. Given the unfortunate reality that the bigotry and hatred we saw in Charlottesville are not isolated to one weekend or one city, the Southern Poverty Law Center has compiled a guide with […]
Seguir Adelante, Siempre
Guest Post by Olivia Morales | DukeEngage Tucson It’s honestly hard to believe that my time in Tucson is almost over. It almost feels like I live here now, that’s how comfortable I’ve gotten living in this community. When I think about leaving, I always feel a sort of overwhelming sadness wash over me, thinking […]
At POLIS Discussion, Bipartisanship Shows it Endures
Joel Luther | POLIS Program Coordinator Despite the divisive nature of U.S. politics, bipartisanship is still alive and well, according to two U.S. senators who spoke at the Sanford School of Public Policy’s annual “Sanford on the Hill” event at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on July 17. Duke alumni of all ages, distinguished guests, […]
Grassroots Activism: Past and Present
As the current political dialogue swells with conversations about social justice, voting rights and the true meaning of democracy, Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) uses the power of storytelling to demonstrate how we can learn from the past to maximize the impact of modern community organizing. With the recent launch of the SNCC Digital […]
Remembering Samuel DuBois Cook
Samuel DuBois Cook, an influential figure in the history of civic engagement at Duke, passed away in May of this year. Cook was the first African-American faculty member at Duke and displayed an unwavering commitment to social justice and political engagement throughout his life and tenure at Duke. For more on his legacy, visit The […]