Profile picture of Amanda Frederick in front of Duke stonework

Global Spotlight: Amanda Frederick

Assistant Director of DUCIGS looks to make an international impact on the Duke community

-By Charles Givens

April 29, 2022

The Duke University Center for International and Global Studies (DUCIGS) oversees several different area study centers and initiatives, holds events throughout the year and hosts visiting diplomats and scholars from around the world. Amanda Frederick, the Assistant Director, helps plan, promote and showcase the diversity that DUCIGS offers.

DUCIGS is located in the John Hope Franklin Center on Erwin Road

Frederick, a Rochester, New York native, started close to home at Nazareth College, double majoring in Psychology and Social Work. While studying there, she saw an opportunity to become more involved in the international side of education saying, “My mother is originally from Poland, so I have always had an interest in other countries and cultures and embraced diversity, which led me to an undergraduate student assistant position in the Center for International Education at Nazareth.”  During her senior year, she went abroad to fulfill academic coursework at the University of Cumbria while completing an overseas internship.

“MY ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL CAREER HAS BEEN IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION”

Wanting to pursue a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership, Frederick enrolled at Florida Atlantic University, and while at FAU, she advised students on study abroad and exchange opportunities. She then moved to Duke in 2015 to be Assistant Director of DUCIGS.

“For over 15 years, I’ve gained experience in three broad realms of international education: working with international students studying in the U.S., advising domestic students on various study abroad programs and, while at Duke, engaging primarily with faculty, scholars and international experts to organize events and host visits,” said Frederick. “My entire professional career has been devoted to international education.”

Profile picture of Amanda Frederick in front of Duke stonework
Amanda Frederick, Assistant Director of DUCIGS

Frederick is responsible for managing several different events, awards and opportunities for the campus community. Examples include recurring series, undergraduate and graduate awards, funding for conferences and workshops, and general graduate opportunities.

“It’s a pleasure to organize, host and promote international events and programs, most of which are open to students, faculty, staff and the larger community,” said Frederick. “It’s wonderful to showcase these opportunities and be part of the connection between people on important global issues and programs.”

“I’M GUIDING THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS”

Frederick also helps graduate students with their applications to the Boren Fellowship and the Fulbright Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) awards, which are overseas fellowships specifically for graduate students focusing on the study of foreign languages and cultures.

Recently, the Boren Fellowship recipients were announced, and Frederick cannot help but be proud of both her office and the students that applied, saying “We organized an information session and then here come the students emailing me, I’m guiding them through the process, and luckily, they got it!”

Frederick sees the role of DUCIGS as an important part of connecting the global community on campus, saying “I take great satisfaction in the programs that we put on, the people we bring to campus and the connections we make. I have pride in seeing how much our collaborations have grown both within Duke and outside of Duke.”