Recruitment
The Graduate School coordinates, supplements, and expands the recruiting efforts of graduate departments and programs in order to increase enrollment of students from traditionally underrepresented groups. Some of our initiatives include:
- participating in recruitment fairs across the country to answer questions potential graduate students might have about Duke;
- coordinating with schools to bring talented undergraduates from around the country to our campus, and learn about opportunities for graduate study at Duke
- leading the Duke University Center of Exemplary Mentoring, which works to increase the number of Ph.D.s from underrepresented minorities in the physical sciences and engineering
- overseeing the Summer Research Opportunity Program, which gives undergraduate students a taste of the graduate student experience;
- awarding the Dean’s Graduate Fellowship to students who contribute to a fuller representation of perspectives within the academic life of the University;
- participating in national consortia designed to promote diversity in graduate education;
- developing external and institutional funding to support summer research opportunities for undergraduates.
Retention
Our job is not done when a student enrolls at Duke; in fact, it is just beginning. The Graduate School engages in various efforts to make sure students have a good experience at Duke and to address potential problems. Some examples include:
- providing general counseling for students;
- developing programs to enhance participation in graduate student life;
- helping students identify external sources of funding;
- providing recruitment, retention, and completion data in an effort to document our ongoing support for graduate students from underrepresented minorities;
- informing students about options, resources, and processes for addressing concerns and problematic situations, such as an interactive guide on reporting harassment, discrimination, and related issues.
Financial Support
The Graduate School awards financial support to students who contribute to a fuller representation of perspectives within the academic life of the university, including
- Dean’s Graduate Fellowship
- Summer Research Fellowship for Research on Racism and Systemic Inequalities
- Summer Research Fellowship for Research on Women or Girls of Color
- Jo Rae Wright Fellowship for Outstanding Women in Science
- Childcare subsidy
Education
The Graduate School contributes to the building of an inclusive environment at Duke through the following aspects of its educational mission:
- Responsible Conduct of Research training with a focus on bias
- a course on College Teaching, Diverse Learners and Contentious Issues
- events in the Race and Bias Conversations series
- facilitation of departmental conversations with graduate students about race and bias
Recognition
Through the Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence, The Graduate School acknowledges the extraordinary achievements of departments and programs that consistently and intentionally create inclusive environments that engage diversity in the intellectual development of students and faculty.
Staff Training
The Graduate School conducts ongoing diversity training for its staff members. Recent sessions have explored topics such as subtle bias, intercultural skills development, being LGBTQ allies, understanding Muslim culture, and working with a multi-generational workforce.