Student Organizations

MPP STUDENT COUNCIL

The MPP Student Council's mission is to support the endeavors of the MPP student body, address students' needs, champion their goals, and promote Terry Sanford's legacy of doing the right thing in a difficult moment. The MPPSC brings concerns, questions, and recommendations regarding the MPP program to the administration. The organization facilitates student involvement in the Sanford School planning in partnership with the Director of Graduate Studies and the MPP Director of Student Services.

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MPP student Council 2023-2024

MIDP STUDENT COUNCIL

The Sanford MIDP Student Council serves and advocates for MIDP fellows, attempting to address students' needs, issues, and concerns regarding their MIDP experiences. It fosters student involvement in MIDP and Sanford School planning in collaboration with the MIDP Program by acting as a link with the administration. It fosters diversity, intercultural learning, and communication among students as an organization that works directly with and represents students from various parts of the world.

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MIDP Student Council 2023-2024

PUBLIC POLICY MAJORS UNION

The Majors Union is the official organization representing undergraduates at the Sanford School. Led by PPS 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 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The PhD Executive Committee is the official organization representing PhD candidates at the Sanford School.

Black Policy Student Association

Black Policy Student Alliance (BPSA) focuses on advancing the interests of Black students and effectuate change in the policy community. Through community engagement, professional development, and advocacy opportunities, BPSA helps educate the Sanford community about the implications of policy on Black communities while providing spaces for students to engage in meaningful community building. Outside of Sanford, BPSA aims to connect students to the historically Black Durham community and to platform their interests through advocacy, policy, and organizing. Further, BPSA prioritizes creating and holding the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy Black Policy Conference annually.

Decolonizing Policymaking

DecolPol is a student club that promotes decolonial ideas and frameworks to foster a diversity of thought and opinion at Sanford. It is also a space for globally minded and diverse students to come together for frank discussions about their experiences at Sanford and beyond. DecolPol will achieve this mission through workshops, community-based activities, and educational events that center the voices and experiences of marginalized communities and those most negatively affected by colonialism, imperialism, and the Western empire.

Duke Business & Policy Club

The Duke Business and Policy Club's mission is to foster a vibrant and supportive community for current and prospective students interested in the intersection of business and public policy, including, but not limited to, dual degree MBA/MPP students. The club aims to offer a platform for meaningful connections and knowledge exchange. Through educational and community building programming that engages people in policy and business, the club aspires to enhance academic and professional journeys. They are committed to encouraging the broader Duke community to engage actively with the dynamic intersection of public policy, government, and business.

Duke Tech Policy Club

The Duke Technology Policy Club’s mission is to bring together graduate and professional students from across Duke to explore their common interests in technology policy, with a focus on equity. The club provides opportunities for graduate students across Duke to hear from guest speakers working in the tech space, engage in policy discourse with professors and students on current tech policy issues, and participate in career development events.

MIDP Student Council

The Sanford MIDP Student Council serves and advocates for MIDP fellows, attempting to address students' needs, issues, and concerns regarding their MIDP experiences. It fosters student involvement in MIDP and Sanford School planning in collaboration with the MIDP Program by acting as a link with the administration. It fosters diversity, intercultural learning, and communication among students as an organization that works directly with and represents students from various parts of the world.

mpp Student council

The MPP Student Council's mission is to support the endeavors of the MPP student body, address students' needs, champion their goals, and promote Terry Sanford's legacy of doing the right thing in a difficult moment. The MPPSC brings concerns, questions, and recommendations regarding the MPP program to the administration. The organization facilitates student involvement in the Sanford School planning in partnership with the Director of Graduate Studies and the MPP Director of Academic Services & Administration.

Policy for the people

Policy for the People is an organization built around equity, activism, organizing, and progressive ideals. Our mission is to help teach how to successfully turn policy ideas into action by bringing organizing trainings to Duke students, providing DEIA trainings to Duke students, fostering relationships with local and communication organizations, and building skills necessary for action-oriented policy work

Policy in Living Color

Policy in Living Color (PiLC) is a Sanford-based student organization that focuses on advancing the interests of communities of color. Through informal social gatherings, formal educational workshops, and advocacy opportunities, PiLC provides education to the Sanford community and spaces for students to engage in meaningful discussion. Outside of Sanford, PiLC aims to connect with Durham community members and to continuously uplift their interests through advocacy, policy, and organizing. Further, PiLC prioritizes creating and holding communal spaces for students of color to engage with one another in a trusted and secure environment.

PridePol

PridePol exists to provide space and opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community at Sanford to come together in coalition and power. The organization aims to amplify and support the efforts of queer individuals, events, and issues on the Duke campus, within the Durham community, and beyond. In addition, PridePol facilitates opportunities for Sanford students to learn about and advance policies affecting the queer community and our intersectional allies. 

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Sanford africa policy group

Duke SAPG’s mission is to fully bring Africa to life at Sanford by leading and supporting diverse policy discourse, academic enquiry, career development, knowledge exchange, cultural exhibition, and networking related to Africa within the Sanford community and across Duke.  

sanford education and policy group

The Sanford Education Policy Club (SEP) aims to represent students interested in education policy by fostering a career and community network and amplifying key issues in education policy. SEP provides opportunities for students to participate in career development events, join an education policy community, and engage with key stakeholders on policy issues.

Sanford Energy and Environment Club (SEEC)

SEEC provides a space for students interested in energy/environmental policy to share knowledge and ideas with each other, as well as network with industry professionals. SEEC hosts social events to facilitate conversations about climate change, the energy transition, and much more. Our goal is to connect students with fresh ideas, job opportunities, and leaders in the energy and environment community.

Sanford Journal of Public Policy (SJPP)

The Sanford Journal of Public Policy was created in 2009 as a forum for public policy students and professionals to contribute to the current policy discourse through insightful analysis and innovative solutions. Produced by graduate students at the Sanford School, the online journal is published on an ongoing basis.  

Sanford Latin American & Caribbean Student Group (SLAC)

Sanford LAC’s mission is to lead and support academic, career, outreach, cultural, and societal efforts of the Sanford community focused on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in order to strengthen collaboration and engagement between LAC and Sanford and to create spaces for meaningful engagement with public policy in the region.

Sanford Run Club

Sanford Run Club (SRC) promotes inclusive and supportive opportunities for members of the Sanford community to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle. By establishing a variety of running events that are inclusive of all ability levels, we help students, faculty, and staff maintain positive mental health and exercise throughout the semester. We also regularly promote local and state races for members who are looking to advance their running careers. Our mission is facilitating community connections and healthy lifestyles through physical activity

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Sanford Social Committee

The Sanford Social Committee fosters connections and relationships and adds value to the social life of graduate and professional students. The Committee facilitates popularly conceived events that are fun, inclusive, and feasible within the Committee’s budget constraints, as well as the time constraints of its volunteer members. Membership on the Committee entails serving as a voice for classmates, generating event ideas, and basic administrative/logistical work associated with hosting events. 

Sanford Urban Policy (SUP)

Sanford Urban Policy (SUP) helps students discuss and explore the issues facing Durham and other cities across the country. SUP hosts and promotes events for engaging researchers, practitioners, and other students about the best practices, political considerations, and structural constraints currently shaping city-level policy decisions.

Sanford Veterans Association

The Sanford Veterans Association (SVA) is a student-veteran led organization that fosters a supportive community for active duty, national guard, reserve, retired, and separated service members at the Sanford School of Public Policy.  The SVA supports prospective, current, and alumni members in admissions, academics, career development, and life in Durham.  Culture, growth, and service guide our actions within our organization, the institutions of Sanford and Duke, and greater society. 

Sanford Women in Policy (SWP)

Sanford Women in Policy (SWP) is a graduate student organization at the Sanford School of Public Policy that provides a forum for discussing and addressing the challenges and opportunities facing women, gender-expansive individuals, and their allies in the field of public policy. SWP cultivates community, empowerment, and fellowship among those who identify with or support marginalized gender identities. We create opportunities for leadership, professional development, and dialogue through speaker events, networking, skill-building workshops, and social gatherings. SWP also serves as a space for students to explore and engage with gender-related public policy issues.

SANFORD BOARD LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

Sanford Board Leadership Initiative (SBLI) places Duke MPP students as non-voting members on local nonprofit leadership boards for one calendar year. A competitive application process determines which graduate students can participate. This partnership offers nonprofits strategic support from graduate students with policy-specific knowledge and the opportunity for students to learn about nonprofit governance.