Eric Mlyn

Duke University

Director, Duke Center for Civic Engagement and DukeEngage 

Biography:
Eric Mlyn is the inaugural director of the Duke Center for Civic Engagement/DukeEngage.  Prior to taking this position, he was Director of the Robertson Scholars Program, a joint merit scholarship program at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.  He is a firm believer in the transformative power of experiential education, and has been building programs in this area for over a decade.  A political scientist with a BA from Tufts University and a PhD from the University of Minnesota, Eric’s academic and administrative work over the last 25 years has in one way or another concerned itself with the role that society plays in fostering and strengthening democracy.

Expertise: Domestic and International Civic Engagement Program Design and Development; University partnerships with Volunteer Service Organizations; The role of American Universities in Civic Engagement

Years of relevant experience: 10+ years

DukeEngage

Duke University

Mission: DukeEngage empowers students to address critical human needs through immersive service, in the process transforming students, advancing the University’s educational mission, and providing meaningful assistance to communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Staff size: 10

Overview of programs:
Students are involved in a vast range of civic engagement activities, including environmental advocacy, community outreach, global health, education, social justice and more. For example, in the past three years, students have:

• launched mentoring and school enrichment programs;
• created community support initiatives;
• designed health education and outreach programs
• improved a community’s health information infrastructure;
• produced environmental education documentaries;
• developed microfinance opportunities for disadvantaged women and families.

Link:
http://dukeengage.duke.edu/

Contact Information:
E-mail: eric.mlyn@duke.edu
Telephone: 1 919 668 1724