Duke and NCCU cadets traveled from Durham to the nation’s capital for two intensive days of meetings. The Duke in DC office hosted a welcome dinner, providing cadets a valuable opportunity to network with Duke alumni working in a range of national security positions throughout the city. The catered dinner featured a conversation between Duke alumni Wyndee Parker ‘91, national security advisor to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Pat Thompson ‘11, national security advisor to Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), moderated by Amy Kramer ’18, special assistant and policy analyst in the U.S. Army.

Ms. Parker and Mr. Thompson shared their experiences as national security advisors and addressed issues related to defense, national security, and foreign relations. Despite their positions across the aisle, Ms. Parker and Mr. Thompson leaned into the importance of unity and bipartisanship in their work. Ms. Parker explained, “Contrary to what people may think, especially concerning national security, there is a great deal of bipartisanship.” Mr. Thompson added, “I think there’s a lot of fighting when you see the news, but there is a lot of friendship behind the scenes.”

During the two-day trip, the cadets attended briefings at the Pentagon where they learned about current national security issues and decision making. This spring, senior NCCU and Duke ROTC cadets will prepare to transition from undergraduate students to members of either active or passive duty in military reserves. The Duke in DC and DukeDC alumni offices organized this event to provide an opportunity for the students to meet alumni and gain insights into a variety of potential career paths and opportunities.

Entering the home stretch of their undergraduate careers, the senior ROTC cadets were excited for the opportunity to speak with military leaders and security advisors. Elise Bousquette, a Duke ROTC senior, helped coordinate the event with the Duke in DC office. “The [ROTC] trip was meant to serve as an educational experience for the seniors in the Duke/NCCU Army ROTC program prior to our upcoming commissioning. It was meant to contextualize our future careers as Army Officers in the broader national security space,” Bousquette explained.

“This trip was a great way to meet people doing important work on Army policy and foreign policy more generally. It allowed us to tap into the distinguished network of Duke alumni working in D.C. – an invaluable experience!”

Elise Bousquette

Bousquette also expressed gratitude to Duke in DC Director Jeff Harris ‘07, Duke in DC Program Specialist Lizzie Devitt ’18 and DukeDC Regional Director Louise Meyer ‘87, for their efforts to make the event possible for the cadets. “Without [their] consistent enthusiasm and support, the alumni dinner would not have been possible. They truly enriched our time in D.C., and I am grateful for all the help Duke in DC and the Duke Alumni Engagement and Development offices so readily provided”.

By Deven Stewart, 4/14/22