The Rubenstein Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) Program is excited to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, continuing its mission to provide Duke student-athletes with transformative global engagement opportunities. Throughout the coming year, ACE will commemorate this milestone under the theme, “10 Years, One Mission,” highlighting Duke Athletics’ decade-long commitment to this one-of-a-kind program in D-I Athletics. Made possible by the generous support of David Rubenstein and contributions from Duke Athletics ticket sales, the ACE program provides full-funding for Blue Devils to engage in immersive summer service experiences with international community partners.
Since the program’s launch in 2015, ACE has provided 315 student-athletes the opportunity to contribute over 23,500 service hours worldwide, fostering cross-cultural understanding and supporting community development efforts. To date, 26 of Duke’s 27 varsity teams have been represented in the program. The impact of ACE extends beyond participants’ summer experience, as alumni have pursued diverse career paths and graduate opportunities that have been impacted by their participation in ACE, including four ACE alums who have been awarded Fulbright post-graduate fellowships. Two ACE alumni have gone on to compete on the world stage as Olympians, highlighting the unique ability of participants to engage in both an ACE international opportunity and compete at the highest levels.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th year of the Rubenstein Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) Program. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with our entire ACE alumni family and to reflect on the program’s lasting impact on our student-athletes’ lives. This moment also allows us to look toward the future, exploring new ways to innovate and adapt the program to meet the evolving realities of our student-athletes’ lives and needs of our community partners.” – Emily Durham, ACE Program Director
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ACE
The ACE 10-year anniversary celebration will feature a variety of highlights and activities, including:
- Alumni spotlights that share personal stories and reflections on the long-term impact of the program.
- The release of a short documentary capturing the history and growth of ACE.
- An in-person event in the spring, designed to reconnect ACE alumni with current participants and other key program stakeholders.
ACE alumni and community partners are encouraged to share their personal stories and memories, helping to highlight the impactful experiences and cultural exchange the program has offered over the past decade.
ACE SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMS
In Summer 2025, Duke student-athletes will have the opportunity to apply for one of three international programs: Costa Rica, Panama, and South Africa. Participants will engage in service projects that focus on community development, conservation and environmental sustainability, education, coaching, and more. During these immersive experiences, student-athletes will collaborate on team-based service projects, build connections within the Duke Athletics community, and develop relationships with international partners.
The ACE experience is designed to help student-athletes develop leadership, teamwork, and professional skills they can bring back to their teams at Duke and carry forward into their post-collegiate lives. Additionally, the ACE program emphasizes a strong sense of civic responsibility, encouraging student-athletes to engage with and contribute to the communities they serve through meaningful, culturally respectful, and sustainable efforts, fostering a lifelong commitment to community engagement and global citizenship. The 36 Blue Devils selected for the Summer 2025 programs will represent the 10th team of ACE participants, joining a vibrant and growing community of ACE alumni.
“ACE is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is so unique to the Duke student-athlete community. I would highly recommend applying as I have learned so much from it and it will always be an incredible memory.” McKenna Smith, Duke Women’s Swimming and Diving, ACE in Panama 2024
PROGRAM LOCATIONS AND DATES
- ACE in Panama May 4 – May 12
Student-athletes will plan and lead an after-school sports camp in rural Panamanian communities, promoting leadership skills and teamwork among local youth.
- ACE in Costa Rica June 14 – June 28
Student-athletes will engage in environmental conservation and sustainability efforts while supporting community development projects alongside local partners in Gandoca.
- ACE in South Africa June 28 – July 18
Student-athletes will contribute to self-empowerment and sustainable development projects in Cape Town communities by leading educational and sports workshops and supporting local outreach efforts focused on food security.
ACE will begin accepting applications from Duke student-athletes for the 2025 summer programs on December 4, 2024. Read the GoDuke Press release here.