Committee Profile

The Intellectual Climate Committee was assembled by DSG in Spring 2011, originally comprised of ten undergraduates from the classes of 2012, 2013, and 2014. As a group, we developed an undergraduate survey, interviewed administrators and student leaders, and met many times with faculty, administrators, and each other to synthesize and discuss our findings. In 2012, Amanda and Nik helped compile all of our findings into this report to submit to the university community. Learn about the committee members below.

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Amanda Peralta (Chair, co-writer)

Amanda Peralta is a second-semester senior graduating in December. She is originally from Las Cabras, Chile and is currently writing a thesis on the process of activism in Chile within the changing media/new-media paradigm. Amanda is an AB Duke scholar, and has studied or volunteered abroad in Oxford, Chengdu, Geneva, Madrid, and Chile. She is obsessed with media studies, social relationships, design, and socially responsible business, among other things. She's thankful to be a part of this conversation.

Nik Raju (co-writer)

Nik transferred to Duke in Fall 2010 for its strong environment program after spending his first year at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He wanted to contribute his perspective on the state of Duke's intellectual climate because of his point of comparison with Rice. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nik is currently a senior majoring in Environmental Sciences, with an interest in environmental health. Nik has participated in the Duke/OTS Costa Rica Global Health program, DukeEngage in Argentina, Duke Marine Lab, and the Winter Forum, which have all given him a greater understanding of Duke's on- and off-campus intellectual outlets. Nik is also involved with Peer Advising, Chi Psi Fraternity, and volunteering in Durham.

Jenny Wang

Jenny Wang is a junior majoring in biology and Spanish. She is involved in Amnesty International and Duke Secular Alliance, and will be studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador this spring.

Emily Yu

Emily Yu is a senior majoring in English and Political Science, with a minor in Environmental Science. She currently divides her time between writing her thesis, acting as the president of the English Majors Union, and interning at the Duke University Press.

Jenny Hu

Jenny is a junior biophysics / biology double major. She did DukeEngage New Orleans this summer, is currently the Hospital School Coordinator for SMART Hospital Volunteering, and Social Chair for her sorority.

Helen Cai

Haoxiaohan Helen Cai is a junior AB Duke Scholar pursuing a major in Public Policy studies and a minor in political science. At Duke, she directs the Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit, and serves as an associate editor and writer for the Archive magazine and writes for the Duke East Asian Nexus journal. She is currently studying abroad at Mansfield College at Oxford.

Mrinalini Prasanna

Mrinalini is a junior from Southern Illinois. She is interested in public health, participated in Duke Engage Durham this past summer and is also involved in Project Heal.

Michael Goodrich (Previous co-chair)

Michael Goodrich graduated from Duke in May 2012 as a math major. He is currently working in Washington, DC.

Justin Leder

Justin is a junior pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Mathematics. He is currently studying abroad at University College London.

Eli Kozin

Eli is currently taking time away from Duke while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Eli was involved in Duke Democrats and founding his fraternity before taking time away.