Big names at Duke: Here’s who you need to know on campus

Whether it’s your first year or your last, there’s always somebody at Duke that you might not know. The Chronicle is here to help. Here are some of the University’s biggest stars to be on the lookout for as you adjust to life at Duke.

Portions of this story were adapted from “Presidents, provosts, puppies: Here’s who you need to know at Duke.”

Vincent Price 

President Price is entering his eighth academic year at Duke’s helm. Price’s tenure has been defined by the University’s Centennial celebrations and the transformation of student life through Greek organizations’ disaffiliation and overseeing the launch of Duke Kunshan University. In the last few years, his decisions have included closing campus at the start of the pandemic, expanding anti-racism initiatives and introducing the Climate Commitment.

Around campus, Price can be spotted walking around campus with his dog Cricket, a labradoodle, on the Al Buehler Trail.

Alec Gallimore

Gallimore is the incumbent provost, serving since 2023. He has overseen the launch of the Provost’s Initiative on the Middle East, which was established in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The initiative includes new research projects and lectures from guest speakers that aim to “foster constructive and civil dialogues.”

Jon Scheyer

Alongside Gary Bennett, dean of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, McMahon was a key player in crucial conversations during the pandemic, including those about spring semester housing and COVID-19 restrictions.

Manny Diaz

Diaz is the head coach of the football team, replacing former coach Mike Elko after his sudden departure from the program to coach at Texas A&M. Diaz previously served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, where he was widely credited with building the team’s formidable defense, as well as the head coach at the University of Miami from 2019 to 2021.

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

Nina King

Nina King is the vice president and director of athletics, overseeing Duke’s 27 Division 1 teams. Most notably, she is known for hiring Scheyer and Diaz and navigating the athletics department through the NCAA’s implementation of NIL. King is the first Black woman to serve as the University’s athletic director.

Gary Bennett 

In addition to his role as Trinity’s dean, Bennett is also a professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience. He was previously vice provost for undergraduate education. Beginning fall 2025, Bennett will oversee the implementation of the new Trinity curriculum that places a greater emphasis on the humanities. He was involved in important decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including ones to relax grading policies and alter 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 has committed to improving the experience for student engineers by prioritizing diversity initiatives and integrating engineering into various other disciplines. 

Candis Watts Smith

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

Shruti Desai

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

Debbie Heida

Heida is the current interim associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. She has served in the role since John Blackshear’s departure in 2023. She continued in the role after it was announced over the summer that Stacey Harris would no longer join Duke as Blackshear’s permanent replacement.

Heather Raslan

Raslan, a senior, serves as the 2024-25 Duke Student Government president and aims to improve collaboration with student organizations and use DSG to address students’ needs. She co-founded the Blue Devil Buddies program and hopes to prioritize developing Central Campus and improving campus social life during her term.

Mahika Jammula

Jammula, a senior, is the current president of Duke University Union. She previously served on DUU’s LDOC and daytime programming committees. Throughout her term, she hopes to improve the DUU experience and create connections with campus identity groups.

Keith Upchurch and Gold 

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

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