The Engagement and Advocacy Committee of DSG strives to help aspiring Duke students reach their potential by identifying resources and information that benefit different student groups. It is built on the idea that Duke’s resources are not the privilege of any individuals and should be available to all students who are qualified. The committee recognizes that the hard work and ambitions of Duke students are not always coupled with appropriate assistance and mentorship. The committee aims to elevate the undergraduate experience by providing the necessary resources and accessibility guidance so that students can live effectively at Duke, without fear of hunger, hidden costs, or other equal access concerns.
Projects
- Undergraduate Food Pantry: E&A, in collaboration with Campus Life & Services & Sustainability, is working on a foundation to create the first undergraduate food pantry on Duke’s campus to ameliorate issues of food insecurity as revealed through DSG’s Hunger Report (link soon).
- Free Laundry Initiative: Due to a past E&A initiative, the committee will oversee the 2025-6 implementation of free laundry, eliminating cost issues for students across campus. Free laundry has now been included in the cost of tuition.
- Accessibility Awareness Initiative: Engagement and Advocacy is working to improve the campus experience for disabled students, with efforts focused on housing, Duke games, transportation, and general lifestyle changes.
- Menstrual Products in Dorms: Founded in 2022, Progress Period is a student organization dedicated to expanding access to menstrual products in dorms on West Campus. Equity and Outreach is collaborating with Progress Period to extend this initiative, ensuring equitable access to menstrual products for all Duke students.
- Free Canva Pro: E&A is working to provide free marketing and Canva Pro materials to all communications teams in student organizations across campus.
- Space Advocacy: In response to lesser student organization storage space, E&A seeks to find a long-term solution to storage concerns in Session 32. The committee also hopes to find DukeLife a new resting space on campus, outside of Perkins Library, and is contact with FGLI leaders across campus.
Committee
Edison Chen – VP
As VP for E&A, Edison is responsible for leading his committee and assisting with projects, managing the DSG policy agenda, and serving as the chief advocate and administrative contact for his committee.
Angela Xiong – AVP
Angela is a junior from Fremont, CA majoring in Biology. Angela previously served in DSG as a first-year elected senator and AVP of E&A. Angela’s main goal for this year is to further support for FGLI students through partnerships like Project Period.
Dishita Agarwal – Senator
Dishita is a sophomore from Greensboro, NC double-majoring in Neuroscience and Public Policy and minoring in Computer Science. Dishita previously served as a senator of E&A, and led projects such as a campus-wide infrastructure overhaul and a redesign of campus transit. Dishita also worked to make sure accessibility were central to all efforts, collaborating with university departments to interview drivers, identify a manual scheduling error, and help reduce missed rides and delays. Dishita’s main goal for this year is to streamline the student institutional advocacy process so students no longer have to juggle several departments to secure accommodations, support, or essential infrastructure changes for their safety.
Katie Maddock – Senator
Katie is a junior from Winston Salem, NC majoring in Psychology and Public Policy with a minor in Global Health. This is Katie’s first role in DSG, and her biggest goal is to engage with the Duke community and collaborate with her committee to advocate for the needs of the student body.
Luis Pereira-Lazo – Senator
Luis is a junior from Atlanta, GA majoring in Public Policy and completing the Journalism and Media Studies Certificate. Luis has previously served as a E&A senator. Luis’s main goal is to create and complete three projects that promote a more inclusive and diverse student campus.
Angeline Smith – Senator
Aubteen Pour-Biazar – Senator
Taylor Moss – Senator
Taylor is a junior from Franklin, NC majoring in Public Policy and Environmental Sciences. Taylor has previously served as a E&A senator, with a focus on campus accessibility. Taylor’s main goal for this year is to continue working on improving campus accessibility to see tangible change.
Christian Linen – Senator
Christian is a junior from Myrtle Beach, SC double-majoring in Public Policy and Political Science. Christian has previously served on the E&A committee, working on initiatives such as an ongoing project in collaboration with members of the SAS committee to improve off-campus medical transportation services for Duke students. Her goal for this year is to continue to advance projects that improve accessibility related to student health, wellness, and support services through collaboration between committees.
Katie Li – Senator
Katie is a junior from Clarksville, TN majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Asian Middle Eastern Studies. Katie has served as an E&A senator since freshman year. During her service on DSG, Katie has contributed to major projects, including the Free Laundry Initiative launching in Fall 2025 which provides all students with free access to laundry services. Katie’s main goal for this year is her collaboration with the SAS Committee on a project aimed at addressing hidden costs at Duke, with a focus on medical-related expenses such as transportation to off-campus healthcare services.
Matthew Sun – Senator
Matthew is a sophomore from Charlotte, NC double-majoring in Chemistry and Public Policy. This is Matthew’s first year in DSG and his main goal for this year is to improve resource access and/or provide more resources for international students!