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Highlights of the Student Meeting with Mitt Romney
Romney's talk spurred reflection on democracy and leadership.
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Undergraduate and graduate students attended the talk.
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Many students were involved with the groups Polis: Duke Center for Politics and the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy.
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Graduate student participants included representatives from the Master of Public Policy, Master of International Development Policy, Master of Public Affairs and more.
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Mitt Romney is the former U.S. senator from Utah, governor of Massachusetts, and 2012 Republican presidential nominee.
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As part of Duke’s yearlong America at 250 celebration, former U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney joined Dean JR DeShazo for the Fall 2026 Sanford Distinguished Lecture. Before the public conversation, a select group of Sanford students met with Romney at the Sanford Building for a Q&A moderated by faculty member Susan Colbourn.
Romney spoke about his path into public service, including his work leading the 2002 Winter Olympics and his decision to enter politics after a career in business. He told students that his motivation was not celebrity or status, but the opportunity to accomplish something meaningful.
“I got into politics to actually get some things done that I wanted to do.”
That same emphasis on purpose shaped Romney’s advice about leadership and decision-making. He acknowledged that acting on principle can carry political and personal costs, but said he had made an early decision to approach public life according to his convictions.
“I was going to vote and live on the basis of my principles.”
When a student asked what makes someone an effective leader, Romney pointed to a quality that cannot be reduced to a management technique or political strategy: genuine concern for other people. He described leaders whose example shapes an entire organization by showing consistent care for the people around them.
“What will allow you to be a great leader … is the quality of caring for other people and their future.”
Romney also encouraged students to see public service as accessible in many forms. They could run for office, work in government, participate in campaigns or bring experience from another field into public life. The important thing, he suggested, was to find a way to contribute to something larger than oneself.
Highlights from the Public Event
Later in Page Auditorium, Romney was introduced by Duke President Vincent Price before joining DeShazo for a wide-ranging conversation about American democracy, global competition, technology and national purpose.
On America’s character
“This is a great nation. Not just because we’re strong, but also because we’re good. We are lucky to live in a land that is the hope of the earth, and we need to make sure that we rise to that occasion.”
On trade with China
“Our country and other countries of the West need to come together and say to China, ‘Look, these are the rules we play by. If you play by these rules, you can have access to our markets. If you don’t, you can’t.’”
On responsible AI development
“They (Frontier AI labs) need to be required to build tools to protect us from AI, at the same time that they are developing their rapidly increasing technology.”
On the purpose of public service
“What is the purpose of your life? For me, purpose is bigger than just my selfish interests. It evolved when I entered public service. It became ‘to help people.’”
Leaders meet prior to the public talk include (l-r), Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Dean JR DeShazo, Duke President Vincent Price, Romney, Duke Provost Alec Gallimore.
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The public event at Page Auditorium sold out.
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Moderator JR DeShazo is the Joel L. Fleishman Dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy.
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