Sanford students are big dreamers and changemakers. We're willing to see things the way they are and devise methods to make them better. Here are some stories of the class of 2025.
Spotlight on 2025 Undergraduate Research
Ana Herndon (Public Policy with minors in Economics & Psychology) - "My research was on social and economic mechanisms that affect minoritized racial and ethnic group members’ STEM major selections."
1 of 3
Velda Wang (Public Policy and Neuroscience) - "My thesis explored how two major pandemic-era policies—the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and enhanced premium subsidies under the American Rescue Plan Act—affected racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage from 2018 to 2023."
1 of 3
Jax Nalley (Public Policy and Romance Studies) - "Under the administration of a new governor, Arkansas enacted a universal voucher program in 2023. This project was an attempt to understand how that policy will likely reshape an environment where public schools have traditionally been the great social equalizer."
1 of 3
Terry Sanford Leadership Award Winner
Chloe Decker PPS'24
Chloe Decker has won the most prestigious undergraduate award at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University: the Terry Sanford Leadership Award, named for Sanford’s founder, who was known for ethical leadership. Chloe's was Chair and Student Voting Director of Duke Votes, Duke’s largest nonpartisan political club, for the national 2024 General Election. Under her leadership, Duke Votes registered more than 3,000 students to vote and recorded the highest-ever turnout at Duke’s on-campus early voting site at the Karsh Alumni Center. Read Chloe's story.
Ye Khaung Oo MIDP'25
In his home country of Myanmar, Ye Khaung Oo worked for a policy think tank established by the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s Economic Committee, leading public financial management and governance reform initiatives for the subnational governments until the military coup of 2021. After the coup, he relocated to Singapore. Seeking to better prepare himself for a career in poverty alleviation, Ye enrolled in the Duke Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program.
Livia Hoxha MIDP'25
"Coming from Albania, a country that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, I felt a strong personal responsibility to better understand how policy can mitigate environmental risks while fostering inclusive economic growth," says Livia Hoxha MIDP'25. She participated in the U.N. Climate Change Negotiations Practicum which culminated in a trip to COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Nilab Ahmadi MPP'25
For Nilab Ahmadi, leaving home meant the chance to amplify silenced voices and forge change through policy. Nilab left her home country of Afghanistan to pursue higher education in the U.S, where she is now an asylum seeker. She is deeply motivated by a desire to uplift Afghan women and children and has focused her MPP studies on economic and education policy, with keen interest in international development and social policy.
Andrew Trexler PhD'25
In an age awash with digital content and 24/7 news cycles, how well does the information we consume actually equip us for democratic life? This question lies at the heart of the research conducted by Andrew Trexler. As a fellow at Sanford's DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy, Andrew has dedicated his studies to understanding the complex interplay between political communication, the news media, public opinion, and the health of democratic norms in the U.S.
Undergraduate Commencement Speakers
Grace and Olivia Hayward
Meet Grace and Olivia Hayward, the identical twin duo who are not only graduating from the Sanford School of Public Policy this May but have also been selected as the 2025 Sanford Student Commencement Speakers! These two have navigated their Duke and Sanford journeys side-by-side. From dreaming of Duke together in high school to becoming integral parts of the Sanford community, their story is one of shared ambition, distinct passions, and a deep connection to both Duke and each other. Read Grace and Olivia's story.
Felix Mergenhagen iMEP'25
A native of Germany, Felix Mergenhagen always wanted to study in both China and the U.S.—two countries that are central to solving global environmental issues. The international Master of Environmental Policy program (iMEP), based at Duke Kunshan in China was the perfect match. With a background in environmental economics, Felix says he discovered a passion for energy access and mini-grid planning and is now pursuing research in that space.
Lucas Vaughan: Duke's Graduate Commencement Speaker
Lucas Vaughan MIDP'25 grew up in rural US and spent much of his free time rodeo riding. "Duke opened its doors to me – a cowboy turned soldier turned grad student soon to be cyber guy – and surrounded me with brilliant minds from across the globe,” he says. Lucas will graduate from the Sanford School of Public Policy and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Steph Bossert MNSP'25
For Steph Bossert, a student in the Master of National Security Policy program, the pursuit of understanding policy isn't just academic; it's personal and professionally ingrained. An active-duty officer in the U.S. Air Force and a Gold Star Daughter whose father passed away from combat-related injuries sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq, Steph is working with her Senator on a bill, named after her dad, to change the law related to educational benefits for children of men and women who died in service, a project that started in a Sanford class.
Anushri Saxena PPS'25
Anushri Saxena, a standout member of the Sanford School of Public Policy's graduating class, has been named the 2025 student winner for "Best Thesis" by a panel of faculty reviewers. Her award-winning research delves into the complex landscape of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) across the United States, reflecting a journey driven by evolving academic interests and a deep commitment to social justice.
Eni Owoeye MPP'25 & Velda Wang PPS'25
Sanford graduate student Eni Owoeye (MPP'25) and undergraduate student Velda Wang (PPS '25) are recipients of the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate remarkable selflessness, service to others, and generosity of character: Eni for work as a mentor and with HOPE North Carolina and Velda for providing menstrual products to those in need on campus.
Antonella Di Ciano MIDP'25
For her master’s project, Antonella explored strategies to strengthen regional monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to address illegal mining in the Amazon Basin. Her research on the ecocide unfolding in the region and advocacy to protect the rainforest and its vulnerable communities led her to speak at the 2024 World Economic Forum and TEDxDuke. After graduation, Antonella will continue her focus on the Amazon rainforest, working at the intersection of environmental crime, gender and organized crime across the region.
Prof Catherine Admay Honored
Duke University awarded its inaugural Judith Decker Prize for excellence in undergraduate teaching this year to three faculty members including Sanford's Catherine Admay. A white South African who came of age under Apartheid, Admay’s teaching is animated by personal history and professional resolve. “How do we together un-make structural violence and bring about flourishing for all?”