Alumni & Friends Contact Us

Samantha Fiske joined the Sanford School in February 2019 as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations. In he role, Samantha has the pleasure of working with a talented team on fundraising efforts to secure critical resources for Sanford and alumni engagement efforts to connect our wonderful alumni with the school. She has worked in University Advancement for over 20 years.

Samantha holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Wesleyan University (CT), and an M.A. in East Asian Studies from UCLA.

Minerva Dantzler joined the Sanford School in August 2022 as the Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Not only does Minerva have deep experience with client engagement and project management acquired during her time in the legal field, but most recently she has worked at Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs on their stewardship team. In her new role, Minerva will serve as a frontline fundraiser for Sanford, and as the primary Sanford liaison for the Duke Annual Fund.

Minerva holds a B.S. in Business Administration from High Point University and resides in Cary. Outside of work, Minerva enjoys spending time with her family and all things health and fitness.

Alex Dodds is the Digital Communications Coordinator for the Sanford School’s Development and Alumni Relations department and joined the team in November of 2022. Working alongside the broader Communications team, he promotes the fantastic work of our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. He brings years of administrative and digital communications experience.

He is from merry ole England but has lived in NC for several years. Outside of Duke, he works as a freelance photographer and enjoys photography in all forms, traveling, hiking, cars, and friends. 

Jean comes to Sanford from Duke Law School where she served as Director of Annual Giving for five years.  At Sanford, Jean serves as the principal staff liaison for the Associate Dean of Development & Alumni Relations.  She's responsible for development services including gift handling, stewardship and donor relations, communications, events, and data management.  She also manages special projects, helps staff the Board of Visitors, and directs the operations of the Sanford Development & Alumni Relations Office. 

Over her 16-year career at Duke Law, Jean served in six different roles in the Duke Law alumni and development office. She contributed towards tremendous growth in the fundraising program, most notably in the Annual Fund, which grew 117 percent (to nearly $3 million) during her tenure.  She oversaw the Barrister Donor Society, the class agent initiative, the law firm challenge, and the "Blueprint Benefactors" law firm sponsorship program, among many other initiatives.  Jean also worked with multiple volunteer leadership boards, including the Law Alumni Association Board, and its communications and development committees.

A native of Maine, Jean is an alumna of Duke University having earned her A.B. in sociology in 2000. An avid sports fan, she volunteers for the athletic department during basketball and football games.

Maggie Stroud joined the Sanford School in May 2023 as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations. Most recently, Maggie served as the Alumni Director for Leadership North Carolina.

In her role, she serves as the primary point of contact to the Sanford alumni population as she helps to develop the alumni relations strategy, programming implementation, and manage the day to day operations of the alumni relations program.

Maggie holds a B.S. in Interior Design from Meredith College. Her background includes roles that have focused on project management, program development, alumni relations, and community facilitation. In her personal time, she serves as a Board Member of the Wake County Community Foundation, is a longtime volunteer leader with Edenton Street United Methodist Church and enjoys spending time with her family at their beloved Atlantic Beach. When she is not soaking up the sun, you can find her with a book in hand, making ice cream, and walking the streets of Raleigh with her pup, Lily.

Tia Cousin joined the Sanford School in September of 2022 as the staff assistant for Development and Alumni Relations.  Tia has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from NC Wesleyan College because of her love and compassion for people.  

She is from Durham, but has lived in Burlington, NC for several years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son, family, friends, traveling and watching court shows!