Kora Sotunde '26: Finding Creativity and Direction at Duke

Kora Sotunde is a senior from Atlanta, Georgia majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, she is also vice president of the Body Empowerment Club, a writer for The Coop Magazine and a Pilates instructor at Duke Rec. A self-described creative, she also enjoys interior design projects and DJing — something she first learned through a Duke course. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in marketing strategy. 

As graduation draws near, we asked Sotunde to reflect on her time at Duke, the experiences that shaped her and the lessons she hopes to carry forward. 

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. 

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

Sophomore year, I realized I didn’t want to be a doctor. I unenrolled from my courses and rebuilt my schedule from scratch during the first week of the semester, filling it with social science classes while trying to figure out what actually interested me. 

Brad Brinegar’s course ended up changing everything. The class showed me that I could engage in people-focused problem solving without organic chemistry equations. It helped me see marketing strategy as a field that values creativity, language and analytical thinking. The following summer I worked at Siegel + Gale in brand communications and later interned at Procter & Gamble in brand management for Dawn. That class clarified my interests and helped me find a career path that fits how I think.

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

I reclaimed my love for nature at Duke. Walking from East to West Campus through the Duke Gardens often inspired me to explore farther. I found joy hiking along the Eno River and peace paddleboarding on Lake Johnson. 

The longer I’ve been at Duke, the more I’ve felt drawn to the outdoors. That urge to be outside is something I know I’ll carry with me long after leaving Durham. 

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

Your life is just getting started, so let yourself fully experience Duke. Try activities you think you’ll dislike, then double down on the ones you love. 

Your time here is finite, but that shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Duke offers endless opportunities to meet people, create things and pursue your goals. Stay present, take care of yourself and spend time with the people who make you laugh. It really is that simple.