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My name is Zhishen (Jackson) Li, a junior majoring in Global Cultural Studies. I am from Xiamen, Fujian province. I was originally in the Class of 2026, but I took a gap semester and changed my major from Political Economics to Literature. Having experienced this transition from social sciences to humanities, I understand how different mindsets are developed through different academic disciplines, and realize the importance of connecting students from not only diverse cultural backgrounds, but also diverse academic backgrounds.
Having had exchange experiences in Taiwan and Duke, I am fully conscious of how a cross-cultural environment presents challenges. With these multicultural experiences, I can communicate effectively between different cultural groups and help solve conflicts. I am passionate about bridging these gaps, creating a more inclusive environment, and making DKU a more warm-hearted and united community.
I am applying for the Student Leader Board (SLB) co-chair to bring change. As a relatively new and cross-cultural university, DKU has many aspects of school life that could be enhanced. And I want to be the change maker.
Last semester, I served as the student advocate for the student parking policy, collaborating with members of the SLB. I will continue to bring about effective policy by negotiating with school departments. Beyond that, I will push for more events to enhance intercultural communication between Chinese and international students. Meanwhile, a practical concern—food being stolen from fridges—hasn’t been solved for years. I would like to use the SLB as a platform for negotiations to develop policies and mechanisms to deal with this problem and protect students’ privacy at the same time.
I’m Carly Nabinger, a junior at DKU. I’ve learned effective leaders serve and act alongside those they lead. When I led the Building H Kitchen Cleaning Initiative, community-building happened in unexpected places. We rallied students, even from other dorms, to deep-clean a space most avoided. We found fruits so moldy you could only identify them by shape, and that fridge unleashed odors never experienced before, but it was fun. People showed up, worked together, and transformed a neglected space into something we could all be proud of. This reminded me leadership isn’t commanding from the front—it’s empowering from within, listening intentionally, and creating spaces where every member sparks change.
I see DKU at a pivotal moment: the divide between international and Chinese students existing in parallel rather than integrated, and seven-week sessions leaving students burnt out, focused on survival rather than genuine learning and community. These challenges demand better systems. As Co-Chair, I’ll establish a student feedback portal where concerns are tracked publicly with regular administrative updates—no more ideas disappearing after suggestion box submissions. I’ll amplify what works: student-led open mic nights, cultural exchanges over home-cooked food, and wins like the salad bar and local vendors students advocated for. With institutional support, we can continue making DKU genuinely vibrant.
Leadership isn’t reserved for boardrooms or titles (though those can help). It shows up when you’re supporting a friend, speaking up when something’s broken, or staying after meetings to ensure plans happen. DKU shaped me and showed me community. I’ll give back with the intentionality and follow-through I’ve practiced. Elevating people’s power has always been important. It’s how we become the change we want to see. At DKU, we have this power. Let’s use it, one deliberate action at a time.
