Polis: Center for Politics

On January 9, the Sanford School of Public Policy Executive Master of Public Affairs program and Polis: Center for Politics’ Civil Discourse Project at the Sanford School of Public Policy hosted the first Bridging the Divide lecture of 2026, featuring former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrators Michael Regan and Andrew Wheeler. Wheeler, now Holland & Hart partner and Head of Federal Affairs. The event was moderated by Duke Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability Toddi Steelman, the discussion centered on environmental protection in the context of a 250-year arc of American history; achievements during their respective tenures in the Trump and Biden administrations; and how they steered the agency through criticism and disagreement to advance the core mission of the EPA.

NEW LOCATION!!!

Join us on Wednesday, November 19 in Sanford 04 for a lively conversation among our Distinguished Fellows as they discuss the joys and challenges of working for the government. Each fellow brings a unique perspective from his time in Washington - Former US Assistant Secretary of State John Hillen served in the Bush administration on Political-Military Affairs; Michael Regan served as the 16th Administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Danny Werfel was the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This discussion will be moderated by Jenni Owen, Professor of the Practice at the Sanford School of Public Policy. Register below!
https://tr.ee/OabgbfoY5X

Join the Office of the Provost, Sanford School of Public Policy, American Grand Strategy, and Polis: Center for Politics on Monday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. in Pen Pavilion for a conversation with Professor Frank Bruni and Representative
Ro Khanna.

Ro Khanna is in his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving the California congressional district that includes Silicon Valley. He was a national co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign. And he’s a leading Democratic spokesperson who has appeared frequently on Fox News as well as MSNBC.https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8tULgmq9nFx36ui

Join the Office of the Provost, Sanford School of Public Policy, American Grand Strategy, and Polis: Center for Politics on Monday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. in Pen Pavilion for a conversation with Professor Frank Bruni and Representative
Ro Khanna.

Ro Khanna is in his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving the California congressional district that includes Silicon Valley. He was a national co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign. And he’s a leading Democratic spokesperson who has appeared frequently on Fox News as well as MSNBC. https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8tULgmq9nFx36ui

Professor Deondra Rose is the new QuadEx Faculty Fellow at Crowell Quad! Through the QuadEx model, she looks forward to being a source of support to students as they make their way through their Duke experience. Duke University Student Affairs

Join us on 9/8 to hear from social justice and civil rights scholars and advocates as they discuss the intersection of voting, civil disobedience, and environmental justice! Link in Bio. Kenan Institute for Ethics Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute Sanford School of Public Policy Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke

If you are looking for a group that offers transformative political conversations, leadership development opportunities, the chance to connect with inspiring political leaders, and the opportunity to be a part of a vibrant community that cares about politics, democracy, and public service, the Polis Student Committee is for you!

Link: https://polis.duke.edu/student-committee/

Right before launching into the Braver Angels student debate, Polis Director Deondra Rose joined ACTA’s Doug Sprei on the HigherEdNow podcast to discuss political education and civic engagement. Check out the podcast here: https://www.goacta.org/2022/05/deondra-rose-galvanizing-political-education-and-discourse-for-democracy/

Check out Op-eds by students like Jessica On at the Polis Medium Blog. https://medium.com/
We will be posting student voices regularly, so make sure to keep coming back for more amazing pieces from the students of
Sanford School of Public Policy!

For those of you still in NC or registered to vote in NC, here is the voting information for Duke! Make sure to vote in your state's Primary Election. Go to https://vote.duke.edu for more info!

Congrats to the winners of our art competition in the Visual Arts category! Go to https://polis.duke.edu/discourse-for-democracy/art-competition/ to see their amazing submissions.