MPA Program Launches with Purpose, People, and a View from the Nation’s Capital

This past week, 24 experienced policy practitioners arrived at the Duke in DC office to take the next step in their professional journeys.

As the first-ever cohort of Sanford’s new executive Master of Public Affairs program, they came from different states, different sectors, and different stages of their career (with more than 12 years of post-graduate work experience on average). What they found (amid lectures, lively conversations, and Capitol Hill meetings) was that this new program wasn’t just about policy. It was about people.

“Every element of the first immersion felt thoughtfully curated,” said Julee Snyder, who works at Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. “What stood out most was the excellence of the people: the cohort, the faculty and staff, the alumni guests, and the supplemental programming. Every encounter was a delight.”

The Duke MPA is offered in a customized hybrid format that combines brief, in-person “residencies” at the start of each semester with longer periods of remote instruction. The program’s inaugural residency, held June 4–8 at Duke in DC, served as the official kickoff to the program, combining classroom learning, orientation and cohort-building activities, and opportunities for civic engagement and cultural enrichment. And for many, it came at just the right time.

“Honestly, I was nervous to return to the classroom after a decade in the workforce,” said Wesley Gwinn, a senior advisor at the North Carolina General Assembly. “After this first D.C. residency… I feel confident that I am where I am meant to be.”

Curriculum in Action

Each day of the residency started early (coffee and pastries at 8 a.m.) and built toward something greater: not just knowledge, but a shift in perspective. Students dove into courses such as Policy Analysis for Public Affairs Leaders, taught by Professor Mac McCorkle, and Data Analysis for Decision-Makers, led by Professor Sarah Komisarow.

By midweek, Komisarow had the cohort working hands-on with data, many for the first time.

“Professor Komisarow is making the process of learning data analysis low-pressure and accessible for all skill levels,” said Ashley Hillard, an environmental advocate and filmmaker. “I’m enjoying the process of using data to help understand problems and policies.”

Gwinn echoed that enthusiasm. “One thing I really wanted from this program was a refresher on how to better work with and understand data... and I'm off to a great start.”

McCorkle’s course brought energy and real-world resonance. “I was a little unsure about jumping into the program,” Hillard added. “But I knew I made the right choice after starting Policy Analysis with Professor McCorkle. He teaches with real-world case studies, experience, and humor.”

For Sarah Nagem, editor of an investigative newsroom in rural eastern North Carolina, the challenge itself was part of the appeal. “Public policy analysis is fascinating and intimidating... but I’m determined.”

Civic Engagement and Cultural Enrichment

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On Friday, students met inside the Rayburn House Office Building for a “crash course” on Congress facilitated by experts from the Government Affairs Institute, followed by meetings with Duke alumni working on Capitol Hill. It was the kind of day the MPA program was designed for: where theory meets practice and institutions become personal.

“Meeting with both majority and minority staff from the House and Senate proved that our program will meet at the intersection of scholarship and practice,” said Seth Winick, a longtime public affairs strategist based in Austin.

That intersection continued Saturday at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where the cohort heard directly from curator and Duke alumna Dr. Ariana Curtis. “I learned a lot through the discussion about her work and the inner workings of the museum’s exhibits,” Hillard said.

Later that evening, U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (PPS’93) joined Sanford Interim Dean Manoj Mohanan for a keynote event at Washington’s historic National Union Building.

"Hearing from one of only three Black women ever to serve in the U.S. Senate, and in such an intimate, candid space, was unforgettable. Her insights on leadership, identity, and governing in a divided era felt incredibly timely and inspiring," said Kendrick Cunningham, a Charlotte-based community advocate whose work focuses on housing equity, public safety, and transformative local policy.

A Cohort with Chemistry

From the first icebreakers to the final evaluations, the week emphasized community-building and personal relationships. Between structured sessions and informal walks around D.C., the cohort clicked.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly our cohort came together,” said Fiona Bell, a Georgia-based government affairs leader in the manufacturing sector. “We are becoming fast friends and want to support each other.”

“The best part is, I know we’re just getting started,” said Gwinn. “I’m excited to see how our experiences and feedback help grow the program as we make our way through.”

They represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including policymakers, nonprofit directors, technologists, journalists, environmental leaders, and attorneys. Several are Duke alums. Some are parents. All are practitioners—people who know their communities and want to lead them more effectively.

“We can conduct constant analysis, but without perspective, it won’t yield the results necessary to address the most complex problems,” said Brock Kannan, a risk policy manager at the Federal Reserve. “That’s why we need the MPA program.”

Many students described finding that perspective not just in faculty lectures, but in conversations with classmates.

“Our cohort brings diverse experience and insight,” said Hannah Bolotin, who leads partnerships at the DC-based Council on Criminal Justice. “I’m eager to keep learning with and from this incredible group.”

"The breadth of knowledge and experience in our cohort was incredible and I’m excited to dive deeper into some of those conversations," said Shrikar Nunna, a government relations professional and former official at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. 

Momentum and Meaning

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The residency wasn’t all business. There were walks on the National Mall, happy hours, moments of doubt, and notes of encouragement. Several students said that those unscripted moments, in hallways, on rooftops, or over lunch, were just as impactful as any lecture.

“It was great meeting classmates who are down-to-earth and care about supporting one another,” said Hector Cendejas, a nonprofit leader and former local elected official in Virginia. “And it surprised me how many Duke alumni play an integral role in public policy and affairs.”

Even the return to school felt easier than expected. “Meeting in person before transitioning to a virtual learning environment is the best approach for me,” said Winick. “I have a deeper connection to my peers and feel equipped to continue learning online.”

Some students expressed a deeper shift, one of clarity and confidence.

“The week affirmed my decision to pursue the Duke MPA,” said Bell. “I hope to challenge myself to think in new ways about old problems.”

For Nunna, it was about momentum. “We eased into the curriculum and got to meet the rest of the cohort... that made it way easier than if we had to do that online over time.”

Looking Ahead

The week concluded with a session on policy writing and a final feedback and evaluation session. The tone was reflective, but not sentimental. They were already thinking about next steps: data sets to explore, leadership models to unpack, and policy problems to revisit with new tools.

From here, their coursework moves online, with a weekly class meeting on Zoom and additional activities conducted on their own time. But their community? That part’s already set.

“After this week, I’m excited to explore new ways of thinking,” said Kannan. “The program reflected a desire to foster trust and collaboration... and in a time when division defines the national rhetoric, that matters.”

This is the first chapter of a new kind of public affairs education: one grounded in real-world practice, driven by curiosity, and shaped by people in all sectors who still believe in public service as a force for good.