Big names at Duke: What you need to know on campus

Whether it’s your freshman year or your senior year, there’s always someone at Duke you may not know. The Chronicle is here to help. Here are some of the university’s biggest stars to keep an eye out for as you adjust to life at Duke.

Parts of this story were adapted from “Presidents, Provosts, Puppies: What you need to know at Duke.”

Vincent Price

President Price begins his eighth academic year at the helm of Duke. Price’s tenure was marked by the university’s centennial celebrations and the transformation of student life by separating Greek organizations and overseeing the creation of Duke Kunshan University. His decisions in recent years have included closing the campus at the start of the pandemic, expanding anti-racism initiatives, and launching the Climate Commitment.

On campus, Price can be seen running across campus on the Al Buehler Trail with his dog, Cricket, a Labradoodle.

Alec Gallimore

Gallimore is the current provost and has served since 2023. He oversaw the launch of the Provost’s Initiative on the Middle East, which was created in response to the war between Israel and Hamas. The initiative includes new research projects and lectures by guest speakers aimed at “promoting constructive and civilized dialogues.”

Jon Scheyer

Along with Gary Bennett, Dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, McMahon has been a key figure in crucial discussions during the pandemic, including on spring semester accommodations and COVID-19 restrictions.

Manny Diaz

Diaz is the head football coach, replacing former coach Mike Elko, who abruptly left the program to coach at Texas A&M. Diaz previously served as defensive coordinator at Penn State, where he was widely credited with building the team’s impressive defense, and as head coach at the University of Miami from 2019-2021.

His first game as head coach will be Friday against Elon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Nina King

Nina King is vice president and athletic director overseeing Duke’s 27 Division 1 teams. She is best known for hiring Scheyer and Diaz and leading the athletic department through the NCAA’s implementation of the NIL. King is the first black woman to serve as the university’s athletic director.

Gary Bennett

In addition to his role as dean of Trinity, Bennett is also a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. He previously served as vice chancellor for undergraduate education. Beginning in fall 2025, Bennett will oversee the implementation of Trinity’s new curriculum, which places a greater emphasis on the humanities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been involved in key decisions, including decisions to relax grading policies and change Duke’s pandemic response.

Jerome P. Lynch

Lynch is the Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, a title he has held since 2022. He is committed to improving the experience of engineering students by prioritizing diversity initiatives and integrating engineering with various other disciplines.

Candis Watts Smith

Smith is vice provost for undergraduate education. During her tenure, the Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program was discontinued in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action. In her role in the Office of Undergraduate Education, she works to support initiatives to support Duke students in their intellectual and academic experiences. She is also a professor of political science whose research focuses on examining issues of race and their impact on American politics.

Shruti Desai

Shruti Desai is the associate vice president for student affairs and campus life. She works in marketing and communications while also overseeing Duke’s relationships with student government, Greek life, and identity and culture spaces. She has also played a large role in the renovation of the Bryan Center and the launch of QuadEx.

Debbie Heida

Heida is currently the interim associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, a role she has held since John Blackshear’s departure in 2023. She remained in that role after it was announced over the summer that Stacey Harris would no longer be joining Duke as Blackshear’s permanent successor.

Heather Raslan

Raslan, a senior, is serving as Duke Student Government President in 2024-25 and aims to increase collaboration with student organizations and leverage DSG to address student needs. She is co-founder of the Blue Devil Buddies program and hopes to prioritize developing Central Campus and improving campus social life during her tenure.

Mahika Jammula

Jammula, a senior, is the current president of the Duke University Union. She previously served on the DUU’s LDOC and day program committees. During her tenure, she hopes to enhance the DUU experience and build connections with identity groups on campus.

Keith Upchurch and Gold

Keith Upchurch, Trinity ’72, and his golden retriever Gold are iconic figures on campus, offering stressed-out students a break from their hectic schedules. Before Gold came Nugget, another golden retriever who died in May 2022. Upchurch began bringing Nugget to campus in 2012 and has continued the tradition with Gold.