Master of Public Policy

MPP STUDENT COUNCIL

The Sanford Student Representative Council brings  concerns, questions and recommendations regarding the MPP program to the administration. The Council facilitates student involvement in Sanford School planning in partnership with the Director of Graduate Studies and MPP Director of Student Services.

MPP ACADEMIC COMMITTEE

The MPP Academic Committee serves as a forum for student concerns regarding topics such as requirements for academic concentrations, course offerings and electives, core curriculum needs, Master’s Projects and faculty and student interaction and advising.

Undergraduate

THE PUBLIC POLICY MAJORS UNION (PPMU)

The Majors Union is the official organization representing undergraduates at the Sanford School. Led by students, the Majors Union engages students in the life of the Sanford School and provides opportunities to learn and network outside of the classroom.

PhD

PHD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The PhD Executive Committee is the organizing body for PhD students.

Young Alumni

BOARD OF VISITORS

Young alumni serve as ad hoc members of the school’s advisory Board of Visitors, providing recent-student perspectives during the board’s biannual meetings. 

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2023 Terry Sanford Leadership Award

Quinn Smith served as president of Duke’s Native American/Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA) and has advocated for more support for Native students on Duke’s campus. A Udall Scholar, he will be a Hart Leadership Fellow after graduation, working with Indigenous communities to advocate for indigenous land ownership.

Watch Quinn's story

Terry Sanford Leadership Award

The Terry Sanford Leadership Award is presented annually to a graduating PPS major, recognizing their achievement in leadership.  Students are nominated by faculty and staff and voted on by the faculty committee. 

Featured Winner

2024 Winner

Chloe Nguyen is one of two winners of the 2024 Terry Sanford Leadership Award. Chloe is passionate about understanding the psychological drivers of intergroup conflict like political polarization and developing interventions to address them.

Featured Video

2024 Winner

"If I could tell my freshman year self what I'd been doing right now, she’d just be amazed," says Grace Endrud. "Freshman year Grace would be very proud of the person I've become and the person I'm still becoming."

Featured Video

Keanu Valibia: Graduate and Professional Student Government

Keanu Valibia MPP/MEM ’25 is President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government at Duke University. Keanu was featured in the kickoff event for the Duke Centennial.