Duke True North Leadership

Duke True North Leadership (DTNL)

The Duke True North Leadership (DTNL) Program is a three-year program designed to allow students to develop themselves as leaders within the communities built through QuadEx, while also ensuring that students leave with shared competencies and language no matter their level of program involvement.

Are you ready to make the most of your Duke journey from the very start? The Duke True North Leadership (DTNL) Program is your opportunity to grow into the kind of leader our world needs — grounded in self-awareness, values, and purpose. Through a powerful three-year progression, DTNL empowers you to discover who you are, develop the tools to lead with integrity, and make a real impact on your communities. We’re currently recruiting first-year students to participate in Year One: Discover Yourself — the entry point into a transformative leadership experience.

Year One: Discover Yourself

What You’ll Experience in Year One:

This first year is all about personal discovery and leadership from within. Through three thoughtfully designed core experiences, you’ll begin building the foundation for authentic leadership:

Your Life Story – Reflect on the moments that have shaped you and uncover how your past informs your future as a leader.
Crucibles Shape Your Leadership – Explore how challenges can serve as powerful learning experiences that forge stronger, wiser leaders.
Discover Your Strengths – Identify your natural talents and learn how to use them effectively in teams and communities.
Clarify Your Core Values – Uncover what matters most to you and how to make values-based decisions in leadership and life.
Leading Without True North – Understand the consequences of misaligned leadership and learn how to stay centered in your values.

Year Two: Develop Yourself

Four core elements aiming to purposefully and thoughtfully build upon takeaways from Year One to lead and live in your True North with focuses on challenges of leading yourself to more effectively engage a community to cultivate opportunities, relationships, and change:

- Develop Self-Awareness
- Live Your Values
- Find Your Sweet Spot
- Lead an Integrated Life

Year Three: I to We

Four core elements aiming to apply lessons from Years One and Two to shift your focus from yourself to others and use your True North to lead a group of people in solving impactful challenges:

- Your North Star
- The Leader as Coach
- Personal Leadership Development Plan (PLDP

Get Involved

Whether you’re brand new to leadership or already passionate about making a difference, DTNL will help you gain confidence, clarity, and a strong support network of peers across campus. Sessions for this program run on a monthly basis led by a DTNL Fellow. If you are interested in participating for this program, please register by Friday, August 29, 2025 at 12:00pm (noon) to secure your spot. Spots are limited — don’t miss your chance to be part of a meaningful, community-driven experience that will shape your leadership and your college journey from day one.

Apply Here!

DTNL Student Fellows

DTNL Student Fellows will work in conjunction with the Duke True North Leadership Program to facilitate student leadership sessions and create a sense of belonging to support the office mission. These sessions include core elements from the Year One: Discover Yourself curriculum: defining values-based leadership, identifying and utilizing leadership strengths, and challenges to authentic leadership.

Duke True North Leadership