Sanford School of Public Policy

Alumni and Students: Join us for our Sanford Summer Sync-Up, hosted by Duke Sanford’s Career Services, on July 16 for an evening of networking with fellow Sanford alumni and students who are spending their summer in Washington, D.C. This happy hour offers a great opportunity to build community, share experiences, and expand your Sanford network while enjoying light refreshments.

We look forward to bringing the Sanford community together at Duke in DC for an informal evening of conversation and connection.

Register by July 1: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XwEA58buyWcZYq

As Head of State and Local Government Affairs for the West Region at SAP Americas, DJ Vogt MBA'01 MPP'02 leads the company’s government affairs strategy across 19 Western states, with a focus on issues that include artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity, and procurement modernization. DJ has spent his career working in the rooms where public priorities, business decisions, and economic policy come together. His work centers on helping public sector leaders understand how technology can support better outcomes for governments and communities.

DJ'S story is featured in the latest Sanford Memo - your Sanford alumni newsletter. See this month's memo and learn about upcoming alumni events and opportunities: https://duke.is/Alumni-Memo

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The best solutions don't start with technology or strategy. They start with people.

Duke Sanford's Executive Education offers a 3-week online Human-Centered Design
program for working professionals who want to build solutions that actually work in the real world.

Led by Dr. Joseph Sherlock of King's College London and the UN Secretary-General's
Office, you'll go from principles to prototypes with topics like:
• Introduction to HCD principles
• Behavioral mapping and barriers
• Prototyping, usability testing, and scaling solutions

This program is ideal for project managers, policy professionals, researchers, and
communications specialists in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Learn more and register: https://sanford.duke.edu/academics/executive-education/hcd/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=exec_fy26&utm_content=hcd

The most effective leaders don't guess at human behavior. They understand it. Whether you're shaping policy, leading teams, or building products, that distinction is your competitive edge.

Duke Sanford Executive Education's Behavioral Economics & Behavioral Science program, led by Dr. Joseph Sherlock, is built for professionals like you:
→ Learn why people behave the way they do
→ Apply behavioral tools to real challenges in your organization
→ Gain frameworks that work across sectors

Learn more: https://sanford.duke.edu/academics/executive-education/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=exec_fy26&utm_content=bes

Curious about what our faculty are researching and teaching? Join us for Alumni Office Hours with Duke Sanford's Mallory SoRelle.

The virtual event will provide a deeper dive into Professor SoRelle's Policy 360 podcast episode exploring tenants' rights and her book, "Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power."

This is your opportunity to continue the conversation, ask questions, and explore insights into her work. All Duke alumni are welcome to join the conversation.

🗓️ Thursday, May 28
🕛 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. EDT
💻 Virtual
Register today: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9MKBfftGtzAzkGi

As Head of Policy & Strategy at Apple in India, Smriti Sharma MIDP’14 has built a career around understanding the full story. Sharma works at the intersection of government, business, and global economic systems, helping shape conversations on issues ranging from manufacturing and supply chains to technology and regulation. But long before she stepped into policy leadership, Sharma spent nearly a decade as a journalist, reporting on many of the same forces she now helps navigate. That early experience continues to define her approach.

Sharma's story is featured in the latest Sanford Memo - your Sanford alumni newsletter. See this month's memo and learn about upcoming alumni events and opportunities: https://duke.is/Alumni-Memo

Congratulations to Professor Tim Nichols, recipient of Duke Sanford's Richard Stubbing Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award!

The award recognizes faculty members who share Professor Richard Stubbing’s deep commitment to the intellectual, professional, and personal development of graduate students.

Nichols has taught at Sanford for more than 15 years and helped shape the Master of National Security Policy Program, serving as faculty director through four successful academic years. He also leads the Counterterrorism Fellows Program, whose more than 100 alumni maintain a lasting connection to Duke.

Students described Nichols as a “maestro” in the classroom who brings rigorous material to life and supports students well beyond the final assignment.

As one nominator put it: “This award is long overdue.”

Congratulations, Professor Nichols!