In the summer of 2007, Duke launched an ambitious program to change the way its students would learn about the world, its problems and its potential. Today, DukeEngage provides one-time funding for approximately 400 Duke undergraduates each summer who wish to pursue an immersive eight-week service experience by meeting a community need locally, across the U.S. or internationally.
The program is highly competitive, accepting fewer than half of the students who apply each year.
Students participate in a vast range of civic engagement activities, including environmental advocacy, community outreach, global health, education, social justice and more. Since 2007, students have:
* launched mentoring and school enrichment programs
* created community support initiatives
* designed health education and outreach programs
* contributed to civic technology projects
* produced environmental education documentaries
* developed microfinance opportunities for disadvantaged women and families
As of summer 2018, more than 4,500 Duke students have volunteered more than 1.5 million hours through DukeEngage, working alongside more than 600 community organizations in 42 U.S. cities and in 81 nations on six continents.