As universities around the country grapple with President Trump’s directives to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Duke University recently changed the eligibility requirements for its Baldwin Scholars Program – an undergraduate program originally exclusive to female-identifying students. Now, the program is open to all undergraduates regardless of gender identity.
Despite these eligibility updates, the Baldwin Scholars Program remains focused on supporting women’s leadership. Colleen Scott, program director, told The Duke Chronicle that “any applicant must demonstrate the same deep commitment to women’s leadership as the program has always required. The selection bar to become a Baldwin Scholar is already very high, and we are not lowering it.”
According to its website, the Baldwin Scholars Program is a four-year program that first-year students can apply to in their first semester. If accepted, the students participate in various academic seminars and research opportunities, culminating in the senior seminar course, “What’s Next: Women, Leadership, Purpose.”