2026 Duke Sanford Graduates: Abigail Bergan

Bergan double majored in Public Policy and Political Science and minored in Arabic. Her honors thesis, “Weaponizing womanhood?” explores attitudes towards female integration into Army Special Operations. Bergan did not come to Duke with an eye on military affairs, but she got involved with the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy (AGS), “and from there the ball just kept rolling.”

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Things really began to click sophomore year. In class, she met one of the Sanford school’s Counterterrorism and Public Policy (CTPP) fellows. The fellowship is unique – Army officers, most of whom are in special operations, FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, and others, attend classes at Duke to enhance their understanding of national security issues and American policymaking.

Bergan realized immediately that she was really comfortable with the fellows she met – she enjoyed speaking with them and asking all kinds of questions. But it occurred to her that her peers might not be so comfortable – or might even be intimidated. So, she decided a free lunch was in order.  She developed the concept and pitched the AGS Counterterrorism Lunches - opportunities for students to sit with a fellow for an informal conversation over a free meal. The initiative is modeled after Duke’s popular “FLUNCH” (faculty + lunch) program.

“Sustainability was top of mind when I began this project,” Bergan recalls. “I wanted the buy-in on all sides to be manageable; this is where I learned that attention to minute detail is where true leadership development is forged.”

Now in its second year, the program has been a success, both for students and the members of the military. 

“Students look forward to the opportunity to engage with an individual with a unique background; senior officers discuss the benefits of learning from the next generation of Americans, whom they have sworn to serve and protect.”

Reflections from Bergan's Professors

During her time as an undergraduate, Bergan worked with General CQ Brown Jr, the 21^st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is now an executive-in-residence at Duke. Brown praised Bergan’s natural leadership.

Professor Tim Nichols who runs the CTPP fellows program called Bergan “an energizer in the national security policy community” at Duke. “I want to see Abigail in the future as an Army leader and as an inspiration to other Duke students on how you can lead and contribute,” he said.

And faculty member Susan Colbourn, associate director of the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy praised Bergan’s curiosity, especially in creating opportunities to connect her fellow students to the Counterterrorism and Public Policy Fellows. Her project, Colbourn said, created bonds that “really help Abigail’s peers think about what their future career paths might look like, and what service means today.”

After Duke, Bergan will either be attending Georgetown University for a master’s degree in Security Studies, and participating in Army ROTC; or else will attend the Army’s Officer Candidate School. Either way, Bergan plans to commission as an Army officer, and credits the Fellows and her Duke community for guiding her down that path.