Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University
Public Policy Graduate Program Staff
Director of Graduate Studies, Master of Public Policy Program
Ph.D. Demography and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania 1992
MPA Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs 1989
Elizabeth Frankenberg is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Sociology and the Director of Graduate Studies for the MPP program. Elizabeth oversees the MPP program, works with students and staff on curriculum issues and student advising, and teaches Statistics and Data Analysis for Policy Makers.
Phone: 919.613.9311 Email: e.frankenberg@duke.edu
Director of Student Services and Program Development
Helene works with current students and the Director of the MPP Program in support of the Master of Public Policy Program.
From matriculation through graduation, Helene interacts with current MPP students to provide support services. She coordinates orientation and graduation events, serves as a liaison between the MPP Program and University agencies to include the bursar and registrar; provides course and academic career advice to students. Helene represents student needs to the program, faculty, Sanford administration, and University officials. Students are encouraged to view her office as a gateway to addressing their concerns.
Prior to relocating to the Triangle in 2001, Helene taught middle and high school English at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, DE. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education/Communications from Temple University in 1991. Before joining the MPP Program, Helene worked in Duke University’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program. Providing support to MPP candidates continues Helene’s commitment to enhancing students’ learning experiences.
Phone: 919.613.9207 Email: helene.mcadams@duke.edu
Program Coordinator, Admissions, Marketing, Recruiting, and Special Programs
Tatia provides student of color and international student outreach, marketing and recruiting initiatives for the MPP program.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Sociology, Tatia brings over 18 years of experience in non-profit, public service, and health policy programs. Most recently Tatia worked as HBCU Project Manager with the South Atlantic Division, American Cancer Society and developed programs and initiatives for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU's).
Phone: 919.613.9244 Email: tatia.ash@duke.edu
Program Coordinator, Data Management and Financial Aid
Sarah performs duties in support of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. She manages information flow regarding admissions, matriculation, student careers, and degree completion. She also assists MPP students with financial aid.
Sarah has been working at the Sanford School since 2005. She holds a degree in History from California State University, Fresno.
Phone: 919.613.9204 Email: sarah.danielson@duke.edu
Director of Graduate Studies, PhD in Public Policy Program
PhD Economics, Harvard University, 1999
Jacob Vigdor is Professor of Public Policy and Economics at Duke University, and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He received a B.S. in Policy Analysis from Cornell University in 1994 and a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1999.
His research interests are in the broad areas of education policy, housing policy, and political economy. Within those areas, he has published numerous scholarly articles on the topics of residential segregation, immigration, housing affordability, the consequences of gentrification, the determinants of student achievement in elementary school, the causes and consequences of delinquent behavior among adolescents, teacher turnover, civic participation and voting patterns, and racial inequality in the labor market. These articles have been published in outlets such as The Journal of Political Economy, The Review of Economics and Statistics, The Journal of Public Economics, The Journal of Human Resources, and The Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.
Phone: 919.613.9226 Email: jacob.vigdor@duke.edu
Senior Program Coordinator, PhD in Public Policy Program and Program on Global Policy and Governance
Patrick works with the Director of Graduate Studies to coordinate and support students enrolled in both the PhD in Public Policy Program and Program on Global Policy and Governance in Geneva. For both programs, he enjoys creating opportunities for students to pursue their academic goals and begin to positively impact domestic and global policy.
Patrick first came to Duke and North Carolina in the summer of 2005 where he worked as a Program Coordinator for 3 years at International House. Prior to that he taught high school English and GED prep courses for adults in Chicago, IL while finishing his Master's degree in Education at DePaul University. From 1999-2001 Patrick lived in Prague, Czech Republic teaching English, running for a Track & Field club and exploring as much of the world as possible. He also earned a B.A. in English and Journalism from Miami University in Ohio.
Phone: 919.613.9214 Email: PPPhD@duke.edu
“The Sanford Institute faculty aren't just academics. Within a few moments of talking with any of your professors, you begin to realize that they are drawing on a vast wealth of actual policymaking experience.”
Rob Lalka, MPP ’08