Kerra Dukes

What made you decide to enroll at the University of Maryland?
When it was time for me to commit to a school, I took many factors into account. I wanted to choose somewhere that was far from home, but close enough that I could go back without trouble. I also wanted to attend a diverse school, in both cultures and majors, so I could explore everything that interests me. The University of Maryland has all of these and more, and that's why I chose to enroll.

What major/career path do you plan on pursuing and how did you select that path?
Currently, I am a public policy major, but I plan to double major in community health. With these two degrees, I plan to work in the non-profit sector after graduation. With my learned experiences there, I want to work in healthcare advocacy to bring healthcare and healthcare education to underserved communities. After this, I would like to go into the Senate and work on healthcare policy. I chose this path because I wanted to find ways to combine my love for healthcare equity, community service, and politics.

Activities I do outside of class or community service/volunteer activities I'm involved with:
There are many activities I do outside of class. I am a member of UMD's step team called "STEPP." We are a performance group, that also believes in philanthropy so we do community service as well. I am a part of the Black Student Union's E-board, as the vice president of administrative affairs. I've also participated in other acts of community service around campus.

Aside from academics, what else do you hope to take away from your time at Maryland?
During my time at Maryland, I hope to be able to network and take full advantage of other resources here. I hope to explore and get experience in my interests so I can have prior knowledge before entering my career.

What are your future goals after graduation?
After graduation, I want to get my master's in public policy, and then enter the nonprofit sector. After a few years of working here, I would like to join a healthcare advocacy group to bring healthcare to underserved communities. Finally, I want to go into the Senate and work on healthcare policy.

My favorite part of being a Maryland Promise Scholar:
My favorite part of the Maryland Promise Program is the amount of team building we do. It allows us to find our people and build strong relationships outside of MPP.