The Duke Sanford Memo Archive
A monthly Alumni newsletter
March Memo '23
February featured Alumni Profile: Jainey Bavishi PPS’03
“I've been in the climate resilience space for almost 20 years. My goal is to continue preparing communities for the effects of climate change that we can't avoid and, in particular, ensure that data, resources and technical assistance reach the communities most in need.”
Read the Dean’s Message: Public Policy Everywhere
Alumni notes and more.
February Memo '23
February featured Alumni Profile: Melissa Lan PPS'01
“We (the State Department) believe in government service. We believe in the values that America stands for. I don’t mean to be at these historical points, but I’ve always been globally focused.”
Read the Dean’s Message: Progress on Sanford’s Strategic Priorities
Alumni notes and more.
January Memo '23
The Duke Sanford Annual Report covers the past academic year highlighting year 3 of Sanford's strategic priorities and looking to the future of public policy.
Sanford students, alumni, faculty, and staff are committed to making the world a better place. This report shows how we are delivering on our mission: to improve lives and communities by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for lives of leadership, civic engagement and public service.
Read the Dean’s Message: Building on Strengths in the New Year.
Alumni notes and more.
November Memo '22
November featured Alumni Profile: Lindsey Kurnath MPP '08
"We have to think in the moment to protect the park from hurricanes or other disasters, but we also have to think 50 years into the future" Deputy Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore Lindsey Kurnath.
Read the Dean’s Message: Gratitude for Community.
Alumni notes and more.
October Memo '22
Read the Dean ’s Message: Our Commitment to Climate.
At the end of September, Sanford hosted the Board of Visitors on campus. This group of stellar alumni and advocates helps guide and support the school.
MPP Class Reunions
Alumni notes
Alumni notes and more.
September Memo '22
September featured Alumni Profile: Terrence Neal PPS'15
Advancing rule of law on the international stage, “I appreciated developing a strong set of critical thinking, analytical writing, and quantitative skills that I could apply to real-world issues.”
Read the Dean’s Message: The Sanford Student Experience
Alumni notes and more.
August Memo '22
August featured Alumni Profile: Chasity Boyce PPS'06
Many people credit college with saving them, but Duke actually saved Chasity Boyce's life when she was a baby. “I grew up always, like, I’m going to Duke. It wasn’t even a question in my mind.” She set her goal to do something with her life and then be able to give back to the university.
Read the Dean’s Message: Bold Beginnings.
Alumni notes and more.
June Memo '22
June featured Alumni Profile: Jennifer Yam PPS'14
As part of the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York, Jen worked to expand opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to win contracts from the city.
Read the Dean’s Message: An Anniversary of Impact and Ambitions.
Alumni notes and more.
May Memo '22
May featured Alumni Profile: Sonia Sekhar MPP'14
Sonia Sekhar currently serves as Deputy Director of the NY State of Health, New York’s official health plan marketplace. At NY State of Health, Sekhar leads the eligibility and enrollment data collection and reporting and serves as policy lead for the technical implementation of state and federal changes to Qualified Health Plans and the Basic Health Program in New York.
Read the Dean’s Message: Congratulations to the Sanford Class of 2022.
Alumni notes and more.
April Memo '22
April featured Alumni Profile: Felix Li PPS'07
Li has been involved with social justice and race relations since high school. His classes with Sanford Professors Tony Brown and Robert Korstad led him to a career in education
Read the Dean’s Message: Spring is a time of renewal.
Alumni notes and more.
March Memo '22
March featured Dual Alumni Profile: Lisa Lawson PPS’89 & Campbell Lawson PPS’24
Like mother, like daughter. This family boasts five Blue Devils across three generations, two of them public policy majors.
Read the Dean’s Message: Sending Support to our Community and World.
Alumni notes and more.