Class of 2025
In May 2025, 21 fellows graduated from Duke Sanford with a Master of International Development Policy (MIDP). Thirteen students — four from the Nicholas School of the Environment, one from the Fuqua School of Business, and eight in the Duke Sanford Master of Public Policy (MPP) program — earned a graduate certificate in International Development Policy.
This September, one MIDP fellow graduated from the program and joined the alumni community.
Student Stories
Student Voices: Grounded in Grassroots, Growing in Global Advocacy
Pragna Shekar MIDP'26 reflects on her experience with UNICEF as a child poverty and social protection intern.
Student Spotlight: Adil Gazder MIDS'26
Adil Gazder MIDS'26 shares how his assistantship with the Climate Dialogue & Innovation Initiative is helping him blend data science, finance and sustainability to build real-world impact across Southeast Asia.
Student Voices: Shaping a Future in Research and Advocacy
Aarushi Tripathi MPP'25 writes about her internship with Oxfam America to understand climate actions in corporate supply chains with a focus on regenerative agriculture.
Student Voices: Observing Democracy in Action
Armen Smbatyan MIDP’25 reflects on his experience participating in the U.S. Election Program 2024, one of the largest global events in the field of democracy development and election organization.
2025 Graduation Stories: Antonella Di Ciano
Driven to help reshape regional governance in Latin America, Antonella Di Ciano enrolled in the Duke MIDP program to strengthen her ability to confront environmental crime and build resilient systems grounded in climate justice, peace and gender equity.
2025 Graduation Stories: Lucas Vaughan
While at Duke, Lucas Vaughan MIDP'25 focused on national security, cyber policy and food security. The Bull City Battalion cade earned the Distinguished Military Graduate honor and was selected as the graduate student commencement speaker for Duke's Class of 2025.
2025 Graduation Stories: Ye Khaung Oo
In Myanmar, Ye Khaung Oo worked for a think tank leading public financial management and governance reform initiatives until the military coup of 2021. He came to Duke to prepare himself for a career in poverty alleviation.
2025 Graduation Stories: Livia Hoxha
Coming from Albania, a country that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Livia Hoxha felt a strong personal responsibility to better understand how policy can mitigate environmental risks while fostering inclusive economic growth.
2025 Graduation Stories: Nilab Ahmadi
Nilab Ahmadi MPP'25 left her home in Afghanistan, and has taken a big risk, a sacrifice made for the chance to amplify silenced voices and forge change through policy.