Lee D. Baker, Ph.D.
Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education
It is my pleasure to share with you the 2024–2025 Annual Report from the Office of Undergraduate Education. Our work continues to be guided by a simple but profound question: how can we ensure that every Duke undergraduate feels both challenged and supported in equal measure?
The answers are evolving, but they consistently remind us that education is not confined to classrooms alone. It extends to laboratories, residence halls, community partnerships, global experiences, and the countless moments of growth that happen in between.
Faculty mentorship, peer collaboration, and student leadership have remained central to the Duke experience, and through these efforts we have deepened our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging, ensuring that every student can see themselves as an integral part of Duke’s intellectual and social fabric.
I am deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners who make this work possible. Together, we are advancing an undergraduate education that reflects Duke’s highest ideals and prepares our students to make a difference in the world.
With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,
Regards, Lee D. Baker, Ph.D. Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education
Curiositydriven. Connectioncentered.
Committed
Our Vision
The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) is committed to fostering an environment of curiosity as well as providing opportunities for students to develop connections with faculty, a sense of belonging, and the habits of a life-long learner. We support students as they forge their own intellectual paths with discernment.
Our Mission
OUE leads Duke University’s effort to provide distinctive and transformative academic experiences for all of its undergraduates. We rely on evidence-based insights to ensure that we meet all students where they are, to anticipate ever-evolving challenges our students may encounter, and to develop innovative and systematic solutions.
• OUE promotes student development and elevates student skills, enabling them to achieve academic excellence;
• We partner with students, faculty, and staff to extend Duke’s learning environments beyond its Durham campus by building bridges to immersive curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities on- and off-campus;
• OUE creates avenues for faculty to connect with students in meaningful ways; and
• We amplify a culture that celebrates excellence in teaching and learning.
Our Values
OUE excels in its mission and works toward its vision with a commitment to respect, integrity, transparency, collaboration, and creativity. Inclusive excellence is essential to fulfilling our mission. We prioritize the whole-person well-being of our students and members of our community.
OUE Research
In OUE Research, we take a scientifically rigorous approach to investigating the diverse processes that impact student success and well-being. We also provide leadership for research, assessment, and evaluation efforts in furtherance of OUE’s mission to cultivate transformative educational experiences for all undergraduates. A key aspect of our work is to collaborate with partners across campus to leverage research evidence to inform decision-making.
OUE Research provides a complement to the existing robust institutional research and assessment infrastructure at Duke, which includes the Office of Institutional Research, Trinity College Office of Assessment, the assessment team in Student Affairs, and the Registrar, among others. A distinctive feature of OUE Research is that we take a holistic view of undergraduate student success, focusing not only on learning and academic performance, but also the broader socioemotional and institutional context in which students are living, learning, and developing.
Insights from the Advising Accelerator
Belonging Uncertainty in the Transition to College Youth Perspectives on Generative Artificial Intelligence At OUE, we are datadriven in our support of Duke undergraduates.
Neurodiversity and the Student Experience
At OUE,
we meet and support undergraduates wherever they are in their journey.
At OUE, we embrace the diversity of our student body, recognizing the richness that comes from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, learning preferences, cultural experiences, and unique experiences.
As we anticipate an even more diverse campus in the coming years, we are dedicated to providing robust academic support and fostering a vibrant intellectual community. We ensure that every student, regardless of their background or schedule, can fully access and benefit from all that Duke offers. Our efforts are centered around empowering students to thrive, experience transformative growth, and cultivate a lifelong passion for learning.
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
4,039
student interactions
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) supports undergraduate student learning at Duke through services including peer tutoring, STEM Advancement through Group Engagement (SAGE) learning communities, learning consultations, workshops, and more. The ARC empowers students to develop effective learning strategies, strengthen academic confidence, and navigate individual paths to success.
200 faculty/staff connections
“I learned study strategies that have felt like a superpower. I am able to get more work done which makes me feel less stressed and gives me more time for other aspects of my wellbeing as well.”
- Academic Resource Center Student
The ARC connected with students through a variety of events, activities, presentations, and workshops. Academic support was provided 1-on-1 with learning consultants and in small groups with Peer Educators and SAGE Learning Communities.
In the 2024-25 academic year, ARC staff delivered a total of 74 outreach activities. In addition, the ARC learning consultants provided 22 classroom visits to introduce ARC services to students in spring 2025.
“Students don’t always know what they need help in, and SAGE is an opportunity for them to work on those skills in a supportive, small community without it being office hours.”
- Instructor for a SAGEaffiliated course
DukeLIFE
DukeLIFE enhances the academic experiences of lower-income and first-generation college students. Our initiatives provide students with holistic support to promote their full participation in the university’s intellectual communities. As a result of our work, LIFE students are well-positioned to:
• Build meaningful relationships with faculty
• Successfully navigate Duke’s intellectual and social networks
• Use campus resources to support their journeys
“[My mentor] advised me that it may take some time to find my people, but the people are going to make a big difference in how comfortable I feel in my new environment.”
- Bella Hermoso, DukeLIFE Mentee
Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS)
The Office of University Scholars and Fellows’ NCS team supports current Duke undergraduates and alumni in finding and applying for scholarships from external foundations. NCS advisors offer workshops and one-to-one advising sessions for potential applicants. This past year, over 40 Duke students and alums received prestigious fellowships.
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Critical Language Scholarship
Nina Castro Alves
Aarav Dagar
Lucan Franzblau
Natasha Harris
Geethika Korrapati
Coralei Neighbors
Rakshita Ramakrishna
Mili Shah
DAAD Scholarship
Nicole Read
Goldwater Scholarship
Deven Gupta
Paul Rosu
Knight-Hennessy Scholarship
Chloe Nguyen
Neil Upreti
Marshall Scholarship
Daniel Ehrlich
Sarah Konrad
Marie-Hélène Tomé
Rhodes Scholarship
Jenna Smith
Samvid Scholarship (embargoed ‘til Fall’25)
Shreyas Hallur
Kashyap Sreeram
Schwarzman Scholarship
Anya Button
Yutao Gong
Hope Jackson
Vincent Liu
Udall Scholarship
Aaron Siegle
UK Fulbright Summer Institute
Demetrist Booker, Jr.
Fulbright Scholarship (Awards offered)
Morayo Abbey-Bada
Nima Babajani-Feremi
Iyesha Belgrave
Tyler Burden
Brianna Cellini
Evan Chan
Ryan Copeland
Sasha Faison
Thailynn Glover
Ariel Hekier
Skijler Hutson
Sebastian Jimenez
Madison Kitts
Camille Krejdovsky
Katie Lam
Amiya Mehrotra
Margaret (Peggy) Moore
Colin Roberts
Devesh Shah
Avery Smedle
Olivia Villaverde
3,282 unique students interacted with the academic advising center
Academic Advising Center
The Academic Advising Center (AAC), a unit within the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Success Division, focuses on the academic advising experience of Duke undergraduate students. The AAC oversees the pre-major advising for Trinity College students, while also providing disciplinaryspecific advising to Trinity and Pratt students across all four years.
305 volunteer college advisors
“The Academic Advising Center relieved a lot of stress with helping me choose course schedules. It also brought to my attention opportunities that I hadn’t considered.”
- Duke Student
Faculty-in-Residence
The Faculty-in-Residence (FiR) Program houses professors in first-year residence halls on East Campus to encourage interaction between faculty members and undergraduate students beyond the classroom or lab. The FiR program affords a broad range of informal and structured opportunities for participating faculty to draw freely on their vocational and professional interests and seek common ground with students in the residential setting.
200 FIR events
5,718 student engagements
“My FIR creates the best events - I have gotten to know so many people in my dorm from their brunches and the postelection breakfast was the most healing thing I needed in that moment.”
- Duke Student
Testing Center
The Testing Center serves undergraduate students registered with the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) who have been granted testing accommodations. Students must be enrolled in a course with an instructor who uses the Testing Center to provide accommodations and schedule in advance to take their Duke course exams in the proctored environment at the center. In addition, the center offers proctored exams for students with excused absences.
“Coming into Duke, I was worried about receiving my accommodations, but the Testing Center has been an incredibly easy and helpful resource to help me succeed in my courses. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and friendly. They have a super straightforward and consistent process that helps me stay focused on the test.”
- Duke Student
1,249 unique students were supported by the Testing Center
382
5,558 Duke faculty exams administered professional vendor assessments administered
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At OUE, we extend learning opportunities beyond the campus classroom.
At OUE, our goal is to inspire learning that extends far beyond the classroom. We are committed to creating an environment where intellectual curiosity thrives in every aspect of student life—on campus, off-campus, during internships, abroad, and even in their residence halls. By fostering deep connections with faculty outside the classroom, we help students develop critical skills such as cultural awareness, civic engagement, confidence-building, curiosity, resilience, and executive functioning.
We want every student to immerse themselves in meaningful conversations and experiences, gaining the tools to navigate the world with confidence. Our aim is to instill a lifelong love of learning and to expand each student’s sense of what is possible, ensuring their education at Duke is transformative and empowering in every way.
Duke Conversations
FLUNCH
The FLUNCH (faculty + lunch) program is designed to encourage student-faculty interaction outside the classroom.
Duke Conversations organized 24 catered dinners between faculty and undergraduate students at professors’ homes throughout the academic year. Student and faculty participation is free.
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2,320 unique students dined with
1,110
Duke faculty & teaching staff
Academic Guides Program
The Academic Guides Program promoted the academic excellence and well-being of undergraduates in the residence halls on West Campus by partnering with students, faculty and staff to facilitate collaborative and innovative studentcentered activities, provide accessible and individualized support, and connect students with resources to enrich the academic, intellectual and residential experience. The program aimed to foster a culture that values intellectual curiosity, community-based learning and the pursuit of meaning and purpose.
163 programs hosted by Academic Guides
4,982
undergraduate students engaged with Academic Guides programs
Office of University Scholars and Fellows
The Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF) awards scholarship funding to students with immense potential, provides enrichment funding for extraordinary research and experiential projects, brings distinguished guests to campus, and develops opportunities for faculty mentorship of students. OUSF coordinates the Merit Scholars programs, Nationally Competitive Scholarships, and encourages intellectual community with cross-campus affiliate programs like the Baldwin Scholars, Mellon May Fellowship, and Phi Beta Kappa.
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Baldwin Scholars
The Alice M. Baldwin Scholars Program inspires and supports undergraduate students to become engaged, confident and connected leaders in the Duke community and beyond.
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“The Baldwin community has been the single most meaningful part of my time at Duke. The program is just so special to me – I’ve found so much support and strength by being a part of the community and developed some of the most meaningful friendships I have.”
- Baldwin Scholar
Global Education Office
Offering over 145 programs domestically and abroad, the Global Education Office (GEO) serves Duke undergraduates who seek to fulfill credit while away from Duke’s campus.
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1,090
26 students supported by GEO on study away programs Duke faculty program leaders
"This program compelled me to look into adding a co-major in global health, as I enjoy expanding my perspective on how healthcare should be based on the current structures seen around the world."
- Elizabeth Escobar Gomez Duke in Peru Student
Duke Immerse
24-25 Programs:
• Sustainability: Ocean-Based Solutions
• Civil Discourse and Democracy
Duke Immerse offers semester-long academic experiences in which a small cohort of undergraduates enroll in a set of four interrelated seminars focused on a significant global challenge or issue. Examples of past Duke Immerse themes include environmental challenges and climate change, urban governance, civil discourse and democracy, human rights, and migration.
"My Duke Immerse experience transformed my journey at Duke and beyond by helping me deeply explore my values and beliefs."
- Duke Immerse Student
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Office of Global Health and Safety
The Office of Global Health and Safety (OGHS) supports and promotes the health, safety, security, and preparedness of Duke programs and students in the field; and assesses the risk of such travel.
1,450 unique students supported on their travels
Course Creation: OGHS created a new health and safety module in Canvas that can be a resource for students traveling outside of Duke.
Streamlined Pre-Departure Orientation: OGHS redesigned pre-departure information sessions which allowed for destination-tailored content.
Academic Enrichment Travel Growth: OGHS merged the Duke Participation Agreement intake form with the Academic Enrichment Travel (AET) intake form to ensure consistency around information collected on activities and to meet the need of growing AET programming.
60 unique faculty supported on their travels
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At OUE, we celebrate exceptional teaching and create platforms for mentoring.
At OUE, our faculty are the heart of the intellectual community, and we recognize the extraordinary impact they have on shaping the undergraduate experience. We see the brilliance, passion, and creativity our faculty bring to their pedagogy, research, and mentorship. Their dedication is invaluable, and we understand the demands on their time and energy. Our aim is to celebrate and support them by fostering stronger connections with our undergraduate students. By facilitating these connections, we strive to empower Duke’s great educators as they continue to inspire the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators.
Judith Deckers Prize
This award illuminates and celebrates teaching excellence at Duke—in and outside of the classroom. This year marked the inaugural nomination cycle of the Judith Deckers Prize for excellence in undergraduate teaching. The award grants three faculty members a prestigious honor along with a monetary prize of $35,000 each. Duke’s first Deckers Prize winners were announced in January 2025.
Catherine Admay, JD
Senior Lecturer, Sanford School of Public Policy
In addition to her work in the Sanford School, Admay is a Faculty Affiliate at Duke’s Global Health Institute. Admay's teaching and research interests are in the areas of human rights, law and development, global health, comparative constitutional law of socioeconomic rights, conflict transformation, and interdisciplinary engagements with law (ethics, arts, storytelling).
Dorian Canelas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the Practice of Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts and Science
Dr. Canelas has been active in implementing studentcentered pedagogies and developing programs to increase undergraduate retention in science tracks. Her research interests include chemical education research, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and macromolecules for industrial and biological applications, such as microelectronics, coatings, membranes, gene therapy delivery, and blood compatibility.
Karin Shapiro, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of African and African American Studies, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Shapiro’s scholarship and teaching focus on South and Southern African, American, and transnational history. She’s written and edited several academic texts, produced four films, and is currently working on a biography for Archbishop Walter Khotso Makhulu.
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Bass Society of Fellows
Ten exceptional faculty members received the prestigious Bass Chairs, marking their induction into the Bass Society of Fellows. This honor recognizes their contributions to undergraduate teaching and research. Members of the society receive financial support to hold a named chair for a five-year term, along with lifelong recognition as fellows.
NICHOLAS SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT
• Nicolas Cassar, Lee Hill Snowdon Professor
• Brian G. McAdoo, Truman & Nellie Semans/Alex Brown & Sons Associate Professor
PRATT SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
• David Carlson, Yoh Family Associate Professor
• Junjie Yao, Jeffrey N. Vinik Associate Professor
TRINITY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
• Jasmine Nichole Cobb, Earl D. McLean Jr. Professor
• Roseen Giles, Mrs. Alexander F. Hehmeyer Associate Professor
• James Nolen, Alexander Hehmeyer Professor
• Tamika Nunley, William & Sue Gross Professor
• Phia Salter, Fred W. Shaffer Associate Professor
• Gustavo Silva, Jack H. Neely Associate Professor
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Student-Faculty Engagement Office
Offering some of the most popular and sustained faculty and student engagement opportunities such as FLUNCH, Duke Conversations, and Muser, the Student-Faculty Engagement Office curates and maintains programs that foster relationship-building for faculty and students.
Faculty Fellows
serve as a catalyst for intellectual engagement within an assigned West Campus Quad, providing opportunities for students to explore personal and academic topics with a faculty member over a meal along with a small group of students.
FacPass
in collaboration with Athletics supported faculty and student-athlete engagement by providing 107 complimentary tickets for 25 faculty to attend Duke athletic events.
Muser
matched 543 undergraduates with on-campus research opportunities. In collaboration with campus partners, the Undergraduate Research Summit organized panels and seminars for 52 students aimed at supporting student research efforts.
Spring Breakthrough
this year brought students to Pivers Island, home to the Duke Marine Lab. They enjoyed field trips to marine science and historical points of interest in downtown Beaufort and the surrounding Crystal Coast areas.
“I
get great joy out of engaging with students, so however I can help you either network or connect, or make your dreams come true or bring resources to build on—that’s what I’m here for.”
- Professor Shep Moyle Few Quad Faculty Fellow
At OUE, we make it easy for faculty to connect with students.
OUE provides robust administrative support to ensure faculty can focus on what they do best—teaching and mentoring students. Through our Finance and Operations, Office of Global Health and Safety, Student-Faculty Engagement Office, and Marketing and Communications teams, we handle the logistics and details that power programs like GEO, DukeEngage, and Immerse. From processing program receipts and business expenses to hiring Teaching Assistants as needed, we streamline the entire process. We are committed to making administrative tasks easy and efficient, so faculty can stay focused on their academic and research priorities.
Faculty Programs and Opportunities
Faculty members at Duke University have many opportunities to partner with OUE to enhance the undergraduate experience. Faculty collaborating with OUE contribute to intellectual communities, partner with experts to improve student outcomes, and lead academic and co-curricular programs. They can also serve as mentors, provide research opportunities, and engage in teaching innovations that align with OUE’s goals. Additionally, OUE offers resources and workshops to assist faculty in improving their teaching strategies and understanding student needs.
Academic Advising Center (AAC)
Guides students in their academic journeys, offering advising, support, and resources for effective pre-major planning.
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
Builds community and aids students with tutoring, time management, and ADHD/LD support.
Duke Conversations
Duke Immerse
Expands the classroom and hosts Duke students in faculty homes for dinner and engaging conversations.
Offers programs that tackle global topics from different disciplinary angles with four courses taught to a cohort of students over a semester.
FacPass
Faculty Fellows
Provides free tickets for faculty to see their student-athlete at Duke athletic events.
Ignites academic exploration beyond the classroom through shared meals and conversations on West Campus.
Faculty-in-Residence Program (FIR)
FLUNCH
Global Education Office (GEO)
Merit Scholars Programs
Muser
Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Office of Global Health & Safety (OGHS)
Student-Faculty Engagement Office
Places faculty in the first-year residence halls encouraging interactions between faculty members and undergraduate students beyond the classroom or lab.
Connects faculty with students over a free lunch on campus.
Develops and leads study away programs across the world.
Guides and works with the Merit Scholar communities.
Provides an application platform to connect undergraduate students to research assistant positions.
Assists in preparing Duke undergraduates for Nationally Competitive awards.
Safeguards off-campus endeavors with students.
Testing Center
Builds connections to foster learning between students and faculty.
Proctors exams for students who have been approved for academic accommodations.
Student Programs
OUE programs support self-reflection, mentorship, and academic and career planning. Students who participate in OUE programs have the opportunity to hone their skills in written and verbal communication, critical thinking, research, problem-solving, collaboration, and cross-cultural competencies.
Academic Guides Program
Integrates academic coaching and whole-student support into the fabric of the Duke campus residential experience.
Duke Conversations
Hosts free, catered dinners at faculty homes with a small group of 5-12 students.
Duke Immerse
Duke Summer Experiences
DukeLIFE
Coordinates semester-long programs with four courses designed by Duke faculty around a central theme.
Maintains a database of Duke-supported summer programs for undergraduates.
Connects first-generation and lower-income students with resources.
Faculty Fellows
Faculty-in-Residence (FIR)
Coordinates Faculty Fellows programming in the West Campus Quads.
Places faculty in the first-year residence halls encouraging interactions between faculty members and undergraduate students beyond the classroom or lab.
FLUNCH
Funds student-faculty interaction outside the classroom with meals on campus.
Global Education Programs
Enrolls students in over 145 study away programs around the world.
Merit Scholarship Program
Coordinates the undergraduate scholarships administered by Duke.
Muser
Hosts a job board for students to apply for research opportunities on campus.
Nationally Competitive Scholars
Assists in preparing Duke undergraduates for nationally competitive awards.
Peer Tutoring
Engages with small groups of 2-5 students in the same course who meet weekly with a Peer Tutor.
Peer Success Leaders
Mentors undergraduate students on all that Duke offers.
SAGE Learning Communities
Engages learning communities to work with 6-10 students in the same STEM course who meet with a Peer Educator.
Spring Breakthrough
Programs new learning opportunities, free of grades or prerequisites, for Duke undergraduates during spring break.
