Sanford’s 2026 class has learned that every policy contributes to people. They now step into an unsettled world ready to lead, knowing that only unsettled soil is good for planting.
Terry Sanford Leadership Award
Abigail Bergan PPS'26
Abigail Bergan is a 2026 Terry Sanford Leadership Award winner for her work on a series of lunches to bring students and the Sanford School’s Counterterrorism and Public Policy (CTPP) Fellows together. The series opened communication between students and visiting Army officers, FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, and others who attend classes at Duke to enhance their understanding of national security issues and American policymaking. Read more about Abigail's story.
Terry Sanford Leadership Award
Anastasia Crowley PPS'26
Anastasia Crowley is a 2026 Terry Sanford Leadership Award winner for her work in rural Uganda with the Women's Microfinance Initiative. She noticed a problem with young women defaulting on their loans, researched the issue and implemented a solution. She says the experience changed her perspective on leadership. Read more about Anastasia's story.
Graduating Student Experiences
Here is a collection of reflections from graduating students about experiences they had during their time at Duke. The ongoing series is called Student Voices.
- Gabriel Toscano MPP'26: Bridging Technology and Policy for the Public Good
- Ana Cedillo Bernal MPP’26: Respectful Friction in Policymaking - What I Learned from a Former Head of State about the Value of Disagreement in Policymaking.
- Kyana Taban MPP'26: Protecting & Empowering the Most Vulnerable, My Journey into Tech Policy
- Maddie Sachtler MPP’26: Defining Resilience in Today’s Global Economy
- Ranjan Jindal PPS'26: Secretary Pete Buttigieg Outlined a Future Worth Believing In
- Pragna Shekar MIDP'26: Grounded in Grassroots, Growing in Global Advocacy