2008 Woodie Awards
Projects fuel future Engagement
By: Rahul Kale
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
Last update: 9/26/07 at 6:24 AM EST
Last update: 9/26/07 at 6:24 AM EST
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Senior Jenny Heffernan, once a premedical student, decided to switch to a career in the public sector before going to New Orleans with DukeEngage. However, she said her experience in New Orleans has strengthened her resolve to pursue a career in public health advocacy. She said she is appreciative of her unique opportunity to spend a summer in New Orleans, and is now applying to graduate schools in the area.
"I learned a lot from the people, from my work experience and from the city in general," she said.
Heffernan worked for the New Orleans Health Department and helped to research for grants and organize the department's Web site.
She added that during her time in the Big Easy she developed a new insight into problems facing the country and would like to spend more time working to improve the New Orleans health system.
"You don't need to leave the country in order to find people in need," she said. "I think a lot of people at Duke, and in general, tend to focus on going to South America and Africa when there are problems right in front of us."
Both Edwards and Heffernan said DukeEngage gave them the opportunity to become more immersed in the communities in which they worked.
"One of the biggest things I came away with [was] not only realizing my privilege but also my responsibility to do as much as I can with not necessarily the money I have but also the resources I have," Edwards said.
Heffernan said she fell in love with New Orleans in her time there and would like to be part of a positive change in the area.
"This is a program that makes doing life-changing and really important activities available to everyone," she said.
Mlyn said the DukeEngage program is becoming increasingly important in a Duke education because of its ability to create new and diverse understandings.
He added that he is very excited about the program's future based on the results of this summer's pilot program.
"Every student at Duke is capable of doing this and every student at Duke, if they want to, will have the opportunity to do this," he said.
"I learned a lot from the people, from my work experience and from the city in general," she said.
Heffernan worked for the New Orleans Health Department and helped to research for grants and organize the department's Web site.
She added that during her time in the Big Easy she developed a new insight into problems facing the country and would like to spend more time working to improve the New Orleans health system.
"You don't need to leave the country in order to find people in need," she said. "I think a lot of people at Duke, and in general, tend to focus on going to South America and Africa when there are problems right in front of us."
Both Edwards and Heffernan said DukeEngage gave them the opportunity to become more immersed in the communities in which they worked.
"One of the biggest things I came away with [was] not only realizing my privilege but also my responsibility to do as much as I can with not necessarily the money I have but also the resources I have," Edwards said.
Heffernan said she fell in love with New Orleans in her time there and would like to be part of a positive change in the area.
"This is a program that makes doing life-changing and really important activities available to everyone," she said.
Mlyn said the DukeEngage program is becoming increasingly important in a Duke education because of its ability to create new and diverse understandings.
He added that he is very excited about the program's future based on the results of this summer's pilot program.
"Every student at Duke is capable of doing this and every student at Duke, if they want to, will have the opportunity to do this," he said.
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