Jiae Kim '26: Finding Purpose in Education and Community

Jiae Kim is a senior majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Education, a Certificate in Child Policy Research and a participant of the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program at Duke for social studies. An international student who graduated high school in Uzbekistan, she is interested in advancing equitable and inclusive global education through advocacy and policy. In addition to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, Kim is involved with Bull City Scholars, Duke Tour Guides and the Student Advisory Board for the Office of Undergraduate Education. Outside of class, she enjoys traveling, reading, trying local restaurants and baking.  

We asked Kim to reflect on her time at Duke, the experiences that shaped her and the lessons she hopes to carry forward after graduation.  

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length. 

Is there a moment, experience, class, or person at Duke that changed you? 

Being a Service Opportunities in Leadership (SOL) Fellow was one of the most transformative experiences I had at Duke. Through SOL, I worked with the Durham Children’s Initiative and began thinking more critically about what it means to be a Duke student in Durham. The experience emphasized building relationships, listening, and recognizing the responsibilities that come with being part of a community that is not originally my own. 

Conversations with Professor Andrew Nurkin were especially influential. He challenged me to think intentionally about my future and what it means to engage with Durham thoughtfully as an educator. Those discussions helped shift my perspective from simply wanting to “help” to thinking more carefully about impact, sustainability and respect in community work. 

SOL shaped both my academic interests and my values. It introduced me to communities and spaces in Durham I might not have encountered otherwise and helped clarify the kind of educator and community member I hope to be. 

Is there a part of yourself that you discovered or reclaimed during your time at Duke? 

Duke helped me understand who I am when I’m truly on my own. Living far from my family gave me the space to grow more independent and reflective. I realized that I value solitude just as much as time with friends — and I became more aware of how much my environment affects my wellbeing. 

Some of my most meaningful memories were simple ones: a late-night drive with a friend during midterms or a spontaneous trip to Charlotte. Those moments reminded me how much the friendships I built supported me through both stressful and joyful times. 

Academically, Duke also broadened my path. I arrived certain I wanted to be a teacher, but through education courses, research, service learning and the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program, I developed a strong interest in education policy and how systems shape student experiences. Duke gave me both the independence to grow and the opportunity to rethink my future. 

What advice would you give to your first-year self — or to an incoming first-year at Duke? 

Be willing to explore. You might arrive certain about your path, but college is a time to try new things and learn what truly interests you. 

At the same time, embrace JOMO — the Joy of Missing Out. It’s easy to feel pressure to attend every meeting or event, but it’s just as important to make time for yourself. Read, journal, rest or simply spend time doing things you enjoy. Give yourself permission both to explore and to slow down. 

As you prepare to graduate, what are you most grateful for from your time at Duke? 

I’m most grateful for the Program in Education and the opportunities it gave me to engage with education from multiple perspectives. Through courses, Service Learning, writing an honors thesis and student-teaching at Riverside High School, I was able to explore both classroom practice and broader educational systems. 

The faculty were incredibly supportive and generous with their time and guidance. I’m especially grateful to Professors Kisha Daniels, Kristen Stephens, Martin Smith and Aaron Colston for helping me explore my interests and think about my future. 

Because of that support, I’m now working as an Admissions Officer at Duke. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue graduate study in education policy or law and continue building on the interests I developed as a Duke student.