About Us: Staff
Michael Palmer, Assistant Vice President for Community Affairs
Michael oversees the office that manages the Neighborhood Partnership.
A former deputy Durham County manager, he fosters productive relations
between Duke and community groups and identifies outside funding for
partnership activities. Michael is Duke's main liaison to Durham city and
county government.
Phone: (919) 668-6274
E-mail: mpalmer@duke.edu
Sam Miglarese, Director of Community Engagement
Sam helps run the Neighborhood Partnership and directs the Duke-Durham Annual Campaign that helps fund it. A veteran of 28 years in the ministry, he represents Community Affairs and Public Affairs at community activities and coordinates Duke student and retiree service projects. He participated in the Leadership Durham Class of 2000.
Phone: (919) 668-6275
E-mail: sam.miglarese@duke.edu
Barbara Jentleson, Project H.O.P.E. Director, faculty member in the Program in Education
Barbara oversees Holistic Opportunities Plan for Enrichment at five neighborhood sites. The former alternative middle school principal collaborates with community centers, the Durham Public Schools and other partners on after-school programs. Those efforts in the Crest Street, Walltown, West End and Lyon Park neighborhoods provide tutoring, arts enrichment and recreational activities.
Phone: (919) 668-6276
E-mail: bcj3@duke.edu
Liz Henderson, Project H.O.P.E. Program Coordinator
Liz coordinates tutoring and provides material and logistical support for the six Project H.O.P.E. community afterschool partners. She has been an elementary science educator for the Chapel Hill school district and the Museum of Life and Science.
Phone: (919) 660-3079
E-mail: liz.henderson@duke.edu
Sarah Anderson, School Service Learning Coordinator
Sarah coordinates the America Reads, America Counts, Partners for School Success,
and Project Child tutoring programs. She has taught both elementary and middle school
and recently earned a master's degree in education from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill .
Phone: (919) 660-2445
E-mail: sarah.list@duke.edu
David Stein, Educational Partnership Coordinator
David works closely with
school officials and staff at the seven partner schools to develop
strategies and mobilize Duke resources to address their needs.
He is involved in initiatives such as School Days and BOOST that
help encourage students to excel. He was previously the community
liaison for the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.
Phone: (919) 668-6271
E-mail: dstein@duke.edu
Denice Johnson, Liaison Coordinator, Project H.O.P.E. After-School Programs
Denice works as a liaison for Project H.O.P.E. in local schools and cultivates
the development of Individual Student Plans for each student attending Project
H.O.P.E. after school programs. Denice identifies Project H.O.P.E. students who
are having academic difficulty and works directly with site coordinators and
classroom teachers to address academic and behavioral issues. In addition to
working directly with school personnel, Denice coordinates Project H.O.P.E.'s
data collection process. Denice served as a Project Coordinator for Fast Track at
the Center for Child and Family Policy for over 11 years.
Phone: (919) 668-6273
E-mail: dmjohnso@duke.edu
Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, Neighborhood Coordinator
As a veteran of Durham grassroots work, Mayme plans and implements strategies through an "Empowerment
Model" to
improve neighborhood environments. She provides support and technical assistance
to community partners, nonprofit organizations, local government, civic groups, and the private sector in the creation of participatory community plans for neighborhood stabilization and community
revitalization.
Phone: (919) 668-6277
E-mail: mayme.webb@duke.edu
Betsy Wagner, Staff Assistant
Betsy supports the director and assistant director. She accounts for all funds and maintains fiscal reporting systems for the funding the office receives from foundation grants, government grants, the Duke-Durham Campaign and other sources.
Phone: (919) 668-6281
E-mail: betsy.wagner@duke.edu
Diann Walker, Staff Assistant
Diann manages the director's schedule, works on special projects assigned by the director and ensures that the office runs smoothly.
Phone: (919) 668-6279
E-mail: dhawes@duke.edu
