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Teaching that sparks curiosity, challenges perspectives, and inspires students—it's a hallmark of Sanford faculty. This past semester, three professors—Vicki Bogan, Frank Bruni, and Joab Corey—have been recognized among Duke’s top Fall 2024 undergraduate instructors in the social sciences by Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.
The honor places them in the top 5% of all undergraduate instructors in Trinity, based on student course evaluations in categories such as overall quality of the course, overall quality of the instructor, and intellectual stimulation. To earn this recognition, faculty had to receive strong student evaluations in at least one course and rank among the top instructors in their division. Their evaluations were compared to those of faculty teaching courses of similar size—small (5–18 students), medium (19–49 students), or large (50 or more students). To be eligible, they also needed at least five student responses and a course evaluation response rate of 25% or higher.
Bogan, Professor of Public Policy and Director of Graduate Studies in the Sanford School of Public Policy MPP Program, is known for making complex financial concepts accessible, blending research with real-world applications. “Teaching brings me such joy. I am honored to receive this recognition from students,” Bogan said.
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Bruni, the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy, brings his deep experience in media and public affairs into the classroom, encouraging students to think critically about the intersection of journalism and democracy. “I'm just really pleased that my students felt that they got something meaningful from our time together,” Bruni said. “I think all of us at Sanford pour our hearts into our classrooms, not ever knowing precisely what works and what doesn't, and cross our fingers that the effort translates into students learning something they find valuable. It's not always a total success, but we all know how important it is to make the effort and do our best.”
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Corey, Senior Lecturer for Sanford, is praised for his ability to make statistics and policy analysis both rigorous and engaging. “I'm so happy to hear that the students seemed to get a lot out of the class and enjoyed the way it was taught,” Corey said. “It is always my goal to provide the best learning experience possible, and it's such an honor to work with the amazing students here at Duke University!”
Sanford’s interim dean, Manoj Mohanan, applauded their achievement: “At Sanford, we are committed to preparing the next generation of changemakers, and that starts in the classroom. Vicki Bogan, Frank Bruni, and Joab Corey exemplify what it means to be educators who not only teach but inspire. This recognition is a testament to their passion and impact on our students.”
With their commitment to teaching excellence, these faculty members continue to shape the Sanford experience—one thought-provoking class at a time.