Duke University student Alejandra Gómez has been selected for outstanding leadership and service by North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities that are committed to community engagement. Gómez is a recipient of the network’s Community Impact Student Award, which honors one student leader at each member school. The award recognizes students […]
Category: Blog Posts

Beyond the Vote: Civic Engagement Outside of Election Season
This year has seen record numbers for voter registration and early voting, signaling an encouraging surge of people using the power of democratic engagement to make their voices heard. When the ballots are cast and the votes are counted, regardless of the outcome, we want to channel the current civic energy into ongoing engagement. We […]

What are you going to do when the world needs you the most?
In the midst of historically challenging times and as we face a pandemic, a national reckoning over racism and systemic injustices, political turmoil, and so many natural disasters, I have encountered many people who share with me this sentiment: What can I do? How can I respond when so many people need assistance? When my neighbors are hurting? When the world is ailing? How can I be […]
What Are We Waiting For?
Guest post by Eric Mlyn | Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Kenan Institute for Ethics; Lecturer, Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University The DOCE is committed to presenting a wide range of student, faculty and staff viewpoints on the important civic engagement issues of our time. The following was first published by Inside Higher Ed […]
Confronting Racial Injustice
The recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd are violent, tragic and painful reminders of the 400-year legacy of the persistent and pervasive effects of slavery, white supremacy and racism in America. Yesterday, peaceful protestors in Washington D.C. were dispersed with force and the use of tear gas by the U.S. Park […]
2020 Sullivan Award Winners Embody Selflessness and Service
This article originally appeared on Duke Today. Each year, Duke recognizes one graduating senior and one member of the faculty, staff or graduate student body for their outstanding commitment to service to others by awarding them the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. This year’s Sullivan Award winners are Dorothy Grace Smith, a senior studying neuroscience at […]
Developing the Political Citizen
Guest post by Carlee Goldberg T’22 I grew up on a wave of student activism. In my senior year of high school, it was just as common to see a 17-year-old leading a rally as a presidential candidate. When I came to Duke, I wanted to see if those calls for change manifested into actual […]
Becoming Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: A Resource for Engaging in Difficult Dialogue
Guest post by Aralia Ramirez | Student Development Coordinator for Student Engagement, Leadership Reflecting on my experience working within the Student Leadership office the past eight months, I feel fortunate to be in a position to support students on their journey to making meaning of their values, character, and community and understanding how their experiences […]

Connecting with the Community
Guest post by David Allen | Duke Divinity School; America Reads/America Counts Graduate Assistant As a Graduate Assistant for America Reads/America Counts (ARAC), I take seriously the notion that Duke students should be invested in the larger Durham community. When I was in college, it took me a while before I felt like I was […]
Duke Senior Caroline Brockett honored for community service
Duke University senior Caroline Brockett has been recognized for outstanding leadership and service by North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities that are committed to community engagement. Brockett is a recipient of the network’s Community Impact Student Award, which honors one student leader at each member school. The award recognizes students […]