Since the 1980s, Duke Graduate School has been a national leader in recruiting a student body representing a full range of intellectual perspectives, life experiences, and backgrounds. The Graduate School’s approach to inclusive excellence begins with engaging with prospective students, continues with multiple initiatives to ensure the success of students in graduate school, and comes full circle with exposing students to broad areas of employment. Below we outline the four stages of the model approach, which includes the active involvement of faculty from departments and programs, staff, and students at each stage.
Stage 1: Identification
Identifying new talent is essential for maintaining a robust graduate student population. Travel to academic institutions, national consortia, and conferences are key to connecting with prospective students. Inviting prospective students to Duke to participate in educational programming about graduate school has also been an important element of this strategy.
Stage 2: Recruitment
Follow up from the identification of prospective graduate students involves monitoring of the application and admissions process. Connecting students with departments and programs is critical at this stage. The Graduate School is connecting with students year-round, but there is a dedicated time between July and September of each year when we participate in recruitment fairs across the country, meeting potential graduate students in person and answer any questions they might have about Duke's graduate programs.
Stage 3: Retention
Once students decide to matriculate, they must have the tools to be successful in their pursuit of graduate education. While financial aid and academic support are major factors in student achievement, The Graduate School takes a holistic approach. A focus on mentorship and developing student wellness and resilience are integral parts of our approach to student success.
Stage 4: Graduation
After students complete degree requirements, The Graduate School tracks alumni career outcomes. Professional development support is key to exposing students to various career trajectories, and we provide students with professional development opportunities starting with orientation through the completion of the degree.