Welcome to Duke
The Office of New Student and Family Programs provides programs and resources to our new student populations that effectively acclimate incoming students to Duke by promoting intellectual curiosity and building community. We provide part of the foundation of the undergraduate experience and serve as a resource and support network for new students. Please feel free to contact any member of the office staff. We would be happy to offer you our assistance, advice, and support.
Who We Serve
Our office is responsible for being stewards of a comprehensive university-wide welcome to our incoming class, transfer students, and other communities transitioning to Duke. In addition, we serve undergraduate families as their student transitions to and throughout their student's career at Duke. We aspire to partner with families to support their student's educational journey. Therefore we not only serve incoming students, but university faculty, staff, parents, and families as we welcome them to be a part of our Duke family.
Stay Connected!
We're here to answer your questions and improve your experience.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @DUKENSFP
GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION:
EMAIL: studentorientation@duke.edu, or familyprograms@duke.edu.
PHONE: 919-684-3511
MEET THE TEAM!
Grace Sullivan Zirkle
Grace (she/her) leads efforts to onboard and orient new-to-Duke students and engage with families throughout Duke students' careers. Her portfolio also includes strategic planning for the First-Year Experience and cultivating cross-campus partnerships to support students and families. Grace earned a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. After graduating, Grace worked as an admission counselor at her alma mater before going on to pursue her M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina. In her free time, Grace can be found spending time outside, baking, playing board games, watching lacrosse, or hanging out with her husband and son.
GRACE'S ADVICE TO NEW-TO-DUKE STUDENTS:
Know that there are people here who want to help you succeed, and don't be afraid to keep asking questions! You'll get a good sense of Duke quickly through summer onboarding and experiential orientation, but it's impossible to know everything about Duke by the time you start classes. That's completely normal! Find staff and peers you trust who you can keep asking questions and go to for support.
Email: grace.zirkle@duke.edu
Carina Carpenter
Carina (she/her) spearheads the student development and training curriculum, the transfer student experience, the Duke Common Experience, and advising ExO projects. Before working with NSFP, Carina worked in Housing and Residence Life at Duke for 5 years, supervising RAs and managing first-year dorm communities while living on East Campus. She is originally from Ohio, and has a Bachelors of Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Masters of Education from the University of South Carolina. Outside of work, Carina loves spending time outside with her family, drinking coffee, being on or near a body of water, watching college sports, and exploring North Carolina.
CARINA'S ADVICE TO NEW-TO-DUKE STUDENTS:
Get outside! Walk around the East Campus trail or on the Al Bulher Trail near the Washington Duke Inn, sit on the quad with some music, or grab a friend and eat lunch outside. Situations can look different when you get some perspective and let time pass. Take a break and get outside.
EMAIL: carina.carpenter@duke.edu
Justin Barker
Justin (he/his) spearheads parent and family initiatives including Family Weekend, advises Experiential Orientation Projects, and supports strategic planning for first-generation college students. Justin grew up in Mocksville, NC and earned a B.A. in Sociology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and an M.Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs. Before Duke, Justin worked across the country in Orientation, Residence Life, Admissions, Family Programming, and College Access. Outside of work, Justin can be found writing, going to the movies, watching college women’s basketball, and enjoying all his new city of Durham has to offer.
JUSTIN'S ADVICE TO NEW-TO-DUKE STUDENTS:
Soak it all in - don’t be afraid to try something new! These next few years are full of “once in a lifetime” experiences – embrace them all, they will be life changing and life defining.
EMAIL: justin.barker@duke.edu
Dalton Dey
Dalton (he/him) spearheads Bricks to Stone, advises Experiential Orientation Projects, and the Duke Common Experience. Dalton is originally from Nebraska and earned a BSBA in Finance from the University of Nebraska. He also attended The Ohio State University for graduate school, where he earned his MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Before joining NSFP, Dalton worked in Housing & Residence Life and is excited to continue supporting students as they transition to a new environment. Outside of work. Dalton can be found exploring the Durham food and coffee scene, playing with his dog, Dallas, and watching basketball.
DALTON'S ADVICE TO NEW-TO-DUKE STUDENTS:
No one has it all figured out on Day 1. It’s okay to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them – that’s how growth happens. Everyone at Duke wants you to be successful; let us know how we can help support you!
EMAIL: DALTON.DEY@DUKE.EDU
Cody Brandon
Cody (he/him) is originally from Sampson County’s largest and oldest city: Clinton, NC. As a child growing up in a rural town, Cody often questioned the societal norms being forced upon him regarding race, gender, and sexuality. This would later pique his interest in the discipline of sociology, which is the degree he obtained from UNC-Wilmington in the Spring of 2024. Coupled with minors in Africana Studies, English, Leadership Studies, and Women & Gender Studies, Cody’s academic background and lived experiences have made him a passionate advocate for those who are commonly underserved and underrepresented by institutional and systemic marginalization. While at UNC-Wilmington, Cody served as an Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, and Ultimately UNC-Wilmington’s first openly gay, Black, male-identifying Student Body President & Homecoming Royalty. Currently, Cody is pursuing a Master of Education with a focus in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University. Outside of work, you can find Cody exploring the Triangle area, hanging out with friends and family, or playing with his orange tabby cat, Benji.
CODY'S ADVICE TO NEW-TO-DUKE STUDENTS:
Firstly, get involved: make connections, ask questions, and inquire! Secondly, be open-minded and accept change: learn from others and become a more inclusive leader. Lastly, do what is in your best interest and what will help you succeed — above all, be proud of that! You are here for a reason. You belong here, you will be valued here, and you will make history here. Go Blue Devils!
EMAIL: cody.brandon@duke.edu
