2025 Graduation Stories: Nilab Ahmadi

For Nilab Ahmadi (MPP'25), leaving her home meant taking a big risk, a sacrifice made for the chance to amplify silenced voices and forge change through policy.

That journey meant navigating immense challenges to leave her home country of Afghanistan and pursue higher education in the United States, where she is now an asylum seeker. She arrived at Duke with a Bachelor of Laws from Kabul University and diverse professional experience, including roles as a legal associate in Kabul and supporting vital humanitarian efforts with the World Food Programme in Afghanistan.

Deeply motivated by her experiences and a desire to uplift Afghan women and children (aiming to be a voice for those unable to speak freely), Nilab focused her MPP studies on economic and education policy, complementing her interests in international development and social policy.

Within the Sanford and Duke communities, she made significant contributions as Treasurer of the Master of Public Policy Student Council (MPPSC) and as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate economics course. Her commitment and service to the university were recently recognized with the prestigious Forever Duke Student Leadership Award.

Nilab aspires to become a professional policy analyst, using her skills to foster impactful economic growth and significantly expand educational opportunities for children back in Afghanistan. We asked Nilab about her remarkable accomplishments at Duke and the positive change she will undoubtedly champion in the future.

What brought you to Sanford?

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As a child, I dreamed of pursuing my graduate studies at an accredited university in the United States. After completing my undergraduate degree, I began researching the best public policy schools in the U.S. and heard positive feedback from friends who had studied at Duke. After thorough research, I discovered that the Sanford School of Public Policy is ranked among the top ten institutions, which led me to choose Sanford for my graduate education.

Growing up in a developing country like Afghanistan, where effective public policy is crucial for progress, further fueled my passion for studying public policy at a world-class institution. Afghanistan faces serious challenges in both economic development and education. Decades of conflict have destroyed infrastructure, weakened institutions, and created a fragile economy heavily dependent on foreign aid. Political instability, insecurity, and widespread corruption deter investment and limit job creation, making sustainable growth difficult.

Witnessing these challenges firsthand inspired my commitment to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to addressing the complex problems facing communities like mine through a policy lens.

What has your focus been here at Sanford?

At Sanford, I have developed as a policy generalist, gaining a broad understanding of key policy areas. In addition, I pursued a certification in International Development Policy and concentrated my studies on social policy, focusing on addressing the educational challenges faced by my community. Through this specialization, I worked to understand and design policy solutions that could counteract the education ban imposed on Afghan girls. My academic and professional experiences have strengthened my commitment to advocating for equitable access to education and creating meaningful change through informed, evidence-based policy.

At Sanford, I served as the Treasurer of the MPP Student Council, where I managed the council’s budget and ensured transparent allocation of funds. In this role, I collaborated closely with various student organizations affiliated with Sanford, assisting them in securing funding for events, initiatives, and community-building efforts. Beyond financial oversight, I actively supported and participated in community-building activities organized by my fellow council members, working to foster a more inclusive and engaged student community. This experience strengthened my leadership, financial management, and teamwork skills while deepening my commitment to creating spaces that empower and connect diverse student voices.  

What professors at Sanford had the most impact on your journey?

All of my professors at Sanford have had a meaningful impact on my life, and I have learned invaluable lessons from each of them. This is one of the many reasons why I love Sanford. From the moment I arrived, I felt accepted, supported, and encouraged by my professors. However, my Master’s Project advisor, Professor John Quinterno, has influenced my journey the most. Before he became my advisor, I took his course, PUBPOL 890.15: Regional Economic and Social Analysis, which sparked my strong interest in economic development and data analysis. His professional background and engaging teaching style deeply inspired me.

Throughout my Master’s Project experience, working closely with Professor Quinterno taught me to be organized, detail-oriented, and creative. Spending significant time with him helped me better understand the competitive job market and the concrete skills necessary to succeed. Beyond academic and professional growth, I admired his humanity and kindness, which taught me the importance of treating others with compassion and respect. His mentorship has left a lasting impression on my career aspirations and approach to leadership and community.

What's next?

After I graduate, I aim to secure a position in the public sector, particularly within economic development.

Additionally, I plan to launch my education initiative designed to empower Afghan girls through 360ed digital learning applications, a project I have been developing for over a year. This initiative will support 15 young Afghan girls in learning English and Science using these digital tools. I am motivated to start this project to assist Afghan girls in accessing education after facing a ban on schooling for over three years. Furthermore, I intend to incorporate the findings from this project into a policy brief that investigates the ban on education for Afghan girls, its implications, and potential policy responses to raise awareness and draw the international community's attention to this issue.

Finally, I will apply the lessons I learned in Sanford and the skills I developed throughout my graduate degree to create positive change in my community and assist communities in need, ultimately shaping better policies on a global scale.