Programs & Initiatives
Explore programs and initiatives that foster community and belonging at Pratt. Rooted in connection, care and growth, these efforts unite students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners to build relationships, address challenges and co-create solutions. We believe engineering innovation is inseparable from human connection, and our programs support both.
2026 Pratt Graduate Bootcamp
Are you considering graduate study? The 2026 Graduate Bootcamps offer prospective graduate students multiple opportunities to explore graduate education at Duke University through two distinct programs. The Virtual Graduate Bootcamp is designed for prospective PhD students interested in doctoral programs within The Graduate School, the Duke University School of Medicine, and the Pratt School of Engineering. The In-Person Graduate Bootcamp is intended for prospective master’s and PhD students interested in graduate programs at the Pratt School of Engineering. Learn more about these opportunities below.
The bootcamp experience has better prepared me for graduate school applications and has solidified my decision to apply to Duke University.
Virtual Graduate Bootcamp Experience
- Format: Virtual (Online)
- Cost: Free
- Applications Open: Late July 2026
- Applicant Profile: Prospective Duke PhD student (Graduate School, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke School of Medicine)
- Virtual Bootcamp Date: September 18, 2026 | 12:00-3:00PM EST
The Virtual Graduate Bootcamp is a free three-hour online program designed for prospective PhD students interested in exploring graduate study at Duke University. Participants will hear from faculty, current graduate students, and admissions staff while learning about Duke’s graduate programs, the application process, research opportunities, and strategies for preparing a competitive application.
The virtual bootcamp is open to all interested students and serves as an excellent introduction to graduate education at Duke. Whether you’re early in your journey or actively preparing for graduate school, this Bootcamp will give you the tools and insights to plan your next steps with confidence.
This year’s Graduate Bootcamp event is sponsored by the Pratt School of Engineering, Pratt Office of Culture & Belonging, Duke Graduate School, and Duke School of Medicine.
In-Person Pratt Bootcamp Experience
- Format: In-person on Duke’s Campus (Durham, NC)
- Cost: Travel, lodging and meals are provided at no cost
- Application Opens: Monday, July 13, 2026
- Applicant Profile: Prospective Pratt Engineering master’s and PhD student
- Program Dates: Wednesday, October 14-Friday, October 16, 2026
The In-Person Pratt Graduate Bootcamp is a highly competitive, fully funded immersive experience for prospective master’s and PhD students interested in graduate study at Duke Engineering. Since 2016, the Bootcamp has brought together students from across the country to:
- Explore graduate opportunities in engineering and computer science
- Learn about Duke’s cutting-edge master’s and PhD programs
- Gain insider strategies to position yourself for graduate school success
Selected participants will spend October 14–16, 2026, on Duke’s campus in Durham, North Carolina, engaging with faculty, current graduate students, researchers, and admissions staff while exploring Duke’s cutting-edge research environment and graduate community. The program includes research and laboratory tours, faculty panels, professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and application guidance.
***Participation in the virtual bootcamp is encouraged but is not required to apply for or attend the in-person program.
This year’s Pratt Graduate Bootcamp event is sponsored by the Office of Culture & Belonging, Graduate Student Programs & Services (GSPS),the Athena AI Institute for Edge Computing, Duke Engineering Admissions and the Pratt School of Engineering.
I think my favorite part were the lab tours because I thought the research being done was fascinating. The students and professors giving the tours did a great job at explaining their research and it’s importance to non-experts. I also enjoyed the lab tours because a few graduate students (not part of the bootcamp) also stopped to talk to our groups about their research and experiences at the university.
Engineering Across Cultures in Academic & Research Environments
Engineering Across Cultures is an eight-part, cohort-based learning experience launching in September 2026 for Pratt faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars. The program is designed to build the knowledge and skills needed to engage effectively across differences in academic and research environments. Through monthly interactive workshops and cultural lunches, participants will deepen their intercultural awareness, develop practical strategies for cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and strengthen their ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing community.
Why Participate in the Engineering Across Cultures Program?
In today’s globally connected research and academic environments, cultural fluency is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether mentoring international students, leading diverse lab teams or collaborating across borders, engineers must navigate cultural differences with insight and skill.
Who Should Participate?
Faculty, postdocs and staff in the Pratt School of Engineering who:
- Mentor or advise international students
- Lead or participate in multicultural research teams
- Are committed to inclusive teaching and lab environments
- Want to enhance communication, trust and collaboration across cultures
What You’ll Gain
- Greater awareness of your own cultural lens
- Practical strategies for inclusive mentorship and supervision
- Tools for navigating cross-cultural conflict, feedback and collaboration
- A supportive community of colleagues engaged in shared learning
- A plan for real-world implementation in your department or role
2026-2027 Session Calendar
(All sessions are mandatory)
| Dates | Sessions |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, September 9, 2026 12:00-2:00PM | Session 1 – Foundations: Cultural Competence, Humility & Development |
| Wednesday, October 7, 2026 12:00-2:00PM | Session 2 – Navigating Cultural Norms & Communication Styles |
| Wednesday, November 11, 2026 12:00-2:00PM | Session 3 – South Asia Cultural Lunch |
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 12:00-2:00PM | Session 4 – Inclusive Mentorship Across Cultures |
| Wednesday, January 13, 2027 12:00-2:00PM | Session 5 – Team-Based Research & Teaching |
| Wednesday, February 10, 2027 12:00-2:00PM | Session 6 – East Asia Cultural Lunch |
| Wednesday, March 17, 2027 12:00-2:00PM | Session 7 – Conflict, Feedback & Trust Across Cultures |
| Wednesday, April 14, 2027 12:00-2:00PM | Session 8 – Individual Action Plan & Celebration |
“I especially valued the time to learn and reflect with members of the Pratt community. I appreciated having time set aside each month and attending the two cultural lunches with students, staff, and faculty. Building tools to help support students from different cultures is directly relevant to my work as an Academic Dean.”
– Ben Cooke, PhD, Assistant Dean for Advising & Data Analysis
Contacts for Engineering Across Cultures
Building Skills for Meaningful Academic Relationships
The Mentoring for Impact Program is designed to build a strong, inclusive culture of mentoring across the school by equipping both faculty and PhD students with the skills, tools and shared language needed for effective mentoring relationships. This initiative is co-sponsored by the Pratt Office of Faculty Affairs, Pratt Office of Doctorate Education and Pratt Office of Culture & Belonging.
Mentoring for Impact
A faculty–PhD student series focused on communication, feedback, and inclusive mentorship
Faculty and PhD students will participate in parallel tracks of thematically aligned sessions that emphasize communication, feedback, mutual expectations and navigating challenging conversations.
Registration & Format
- Two concurrent sessions in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 (Two for Faculty Mentors and two for PhD Mentees)
- Approved for 200-level RCR credit
Fall 2026 Session Pairings & Thematic Alignment
| Dates | Session Title | Participants | Themes | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 10 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Culturally Responsive Mentoring | Faculty Mentors | Cultural Awareness | Link here. |
| Tuesday, September 15 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Navigating Mentoring Across Differences | PhD Mentees | Cultural Awareness | Link here. |
| Wednesday, November 18 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Giving Effective Feedback | Faculty Mentors | Feedback loops, actionable advice | Link here. |
| Monday, November 23 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Receiving and Using Feedback for Growth | PhD Mentees | Feedback loops, actionable advice | Link here. |
Spring 2027 Session Pairings & Thematic Alignment
| Dates | Session Title | Participants | Themes | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 20 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Mentoring Across Generations | Faculty Mentors | Adapting communication styles, feedback preferences, and expectations based on generational assumptions. | Link here. |
| Thursday, January 28 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | Navigating Intergenerational Dynamics | PhD Mentees | Understanding faculty communication styles and advocating for your needs across generational assumptions. | Link here. |
| Monday, April 5 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | The Coaching Mindset: Asking Powerful Questions to Support Student Development | Faculty Mentors | Helping students identify their own solutions and next steps. | Link here. |
| Wednesday, April 7 11:30 am-1:00 pm Mumma Commons | The Coaching Mindset: Becoming an Active Partner in Your Development | PhD Mentees | Developing confidence in decision-making and research | Link here. |
The Dialogue for Understanding Institute is a three-day intensive professional development program designed to support Duke staff, faculty, and graduate students in building self-awareness and strengthening the skills needed to effectively engage across difference. Through this experience, participants will enhance their ability to collaborate and communicate more effectively on teams, foster inclusive and dynamic classroom and lab environments, and engage more thoughtfully in community-engaged efforts.
Participants in this program will:
- Explore diverse dialogue methodologies (intergroup, sustainable, living room conversations and more) to strengthen understanding and communication across diverse communities.
- Engage in interactive sessions to build skills for navigating and transforming challenging conversations.
- Develop the capacity to participate in meaningful dialogue across a range of lived experiences.
- Cultivate a collaborative community of practice grounded in accountability and ongoing growth.
How to Apply
- Institute Days: Monday, May 17- Wednesday May 19, 2027 | 9:00AM-3:00PM
- Logistics: In-Person
- Cost: Free
- Participants: Pratt graduate students, staff, postdocs and faculty
Participating in the Pratt Dialogue for Understanding Institute has been one of the most meaningful professional development experiences I’ve had at Duke.
What surprised me most wasn’t just what happened during the three days of the program—it was what happened afterward. Over the past four years, I’ve worked alongside many Institute participants, and I can genuinely say that after sharing this experience, we relate to one another differently. There is a greater sense of trust, openness, and connection. We greet one another as friends, and there is a natural willingness to support each other across departments, and it has strengthened my sense of community and belonging.
The Institute thoughtfully balances rich content with opportunities to practice and apply new skills in real time. Learning alongside Pratt colleagues and students created a dynamic environment where every conversation brought new perspectives. The three-day format allowed relationships to develop naturally and created the psychological safety needed for authentic dialogue and meaningful reflection.
I am grateful to have participated and would enthusiastically recommend the experience to anyone who has the opportunity. – Amy C. Spaulding, M.A., Academic Services Coordinator, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Maclin Community Connection Grant Program
Thanks to the generosity of Valecia Maclin, a member of the Class of 1992 and our Board of Visitors, the Maclin Community Connection Grant Program funds proposals from members of the Pratt community that advance our vision. During the submission period, you are invited to review the following information and to submit a proposal for funding of up to $1,000.
Maclin Community Connections Grant Guidelines
Our Vision
At the Pratt School of Engineering, we believe that a commitment to community impact and a deep sense of belonging are essential to advancing education, research, and innovation. We work to create an environment where every student, faculty, and staff member feels respected, connected, and empowered to thrive. Through partnerships across Pratt and Duke, we cultivate meaningful relationships, support purposeful engagement, and foster a culture grounded in collaboration and shared accountability.
Priority Areas
Each proposal must explicitly state how it aligns with at least one of our four priority areas:
- Building Community Through Behaviors
- Workplace and Professional Development
- Mentoring
- Recruitment and Retention
Eligibility
All members of the Duke Engineering community are encouraged to apply.
Application, Guidelines and Requirements
- Application Open: Monday, January 12, 2026
- Application Closes: Friday, February 13, 2026
- Awards Announced: Friday, March 13, 2026
Visit the Pratt intranet (Duke NetID required) for additional information on applying to Maclin Community Connections grant link here.
2026-2027 Culture & Belonging Student Advisory Council
The Culture & Belonging Student Advisory Council (CBSAC) is a diverse, representative body of students that partners with our office to uplift student voices, support inclusive programming and cultivate a culture of belonging across the Pratt School of Engineering.
Pratt Culture & Belonging Student Advisory Council
The Culture & Belonging Student Advisory Council (CBSAC) is a diverse, representative body of students (undergraduate, master’s and PhD) that partners with our office to uplift student voices, support inclusive programming and cultivate a culture of belonging across the Pratt School of Engineering.
SAC members help shape initiatives that promote trust, respect, connection and shared purpose—key to advancing education, research and innovation.
The 2025–2026 academic year was a landmark year for SAC: not only did it serve as the Council’s inaugural year, but it will also coincided with the implementation of the 2026 Culture Survey and robust Action Planning process led by our office. This process will define the long-term vision, values and goals of the office. Only candidates who are genuinely interested in contributing to this planning process should consider applying.
Commitment, Expectations & Timeline
CBSAC appointments are for one full academic year (2026-2027). Members are expected to:
- Attend a mandatory kick-off retreat in late August/early September *Date To Be Announced
- Participate in monthly Council meetings (Third Thursdays of each month at 6:00 PM ET, subject to change)
- Engage meaningfully in strategic planning sessions led by our office
- Support community-building initiatives across Pratt
Key Dates
- Application Opens: Monday, July 6, 2026
- Application Deadline: Friday, August 21, 2026
- Kick-Off Retreat: Saturday, August 29, 2026 10:00AM-2:00PM (TENTATIVE)
- Monthly Meetings Begin: Thursday, September 17, 2026 6-7PM
Contacts for Pratt Culture & Belonging Student Advisory Council
