The Baldwin Scholars program contributes to Duke University’s mission “to provide a superior liberal education to undergraduate students, attending not only to their intellectual growth but also to their development as adults committed to high ethical standards and full participation as leaders in their communities...”
Purpose
"Most undergraduates come to Duke with a fairly well-developed set of cultural expectations about how women and men should behave, communicated in powerful ways by the messages of contemporary popular culture and formative high school experiences. We have learned that, contrary to what one might wish for in a residential educational institution dedicated to personal growth and exploration of diverse experiences, such cultural expectations are powerfully reinforced for many students at Duke. These norms are clearly not conducive to equal participation as members of a community of scholars; but they run very deep, and are profoundly influential in the lives of our students."
– Nannerl O. Keohane, president of Duke University, 1993-2004
Program Objectives
- Baldwin Scholars will gain increased self-confidence essential to leadership development.
- Baldwin Scholars will develop improved networking relationships.
- Baldwin Scholars will become active agents of change.
- Baldwin Scholars will acquire increased self-knowledge.
- The Baldwin Scholars program will offer opportunities for Duke students to increase their knowledge and awareness of women's issues and leadership.
Foundational Pillars
Community
We cultivate a supportive, diverse, and inclusive community that inspires self-confidence and creates a powerful network. We celebrate and amplify each other’s successes.
Empowerment
We exercise the power of our voices in every space we occupy and model that empowerment for others.
Growth
We are an imperfect organization made up of imperfect people. As members and as a collective, we acknowledge that growth happens at the edge of our comfort zones.
Authenticity
We value openness in creating a space for introspection and vulnerability. When holding ourselves and each other accountable, we prioritize impact over intent.
Advocacy
We care about gender inequity, particularly as it impacts people with multiple marginalized identities. We work to promote justice through education and activism.