In a recent announcement, Stanford Athletics shared they will pause their involvement in the ACE program for Summer 2024 due to the challenges arising from conference realignment. The decision marks a significant juncture in the partnership between Duke Athletics and Stanford Athletics, as both institutions have collaboratively run the ACE program for eight years since the program’s founding in 2015.
In response to Stanford’s decision, Duke Athletics remains steadfast in its commitment to the ACE program. Emily Durham, ACE Program Director, stated, “Duke’s collaborative efforts with Stanford over the past eight years have been defined by a unified vision to provide our student-athletes with one-of-a-kind, high-impact, international service experiences. Despite geographical distances and time zones separating our institutions, we have fostered lasting relationships between our student-athletes and communities worldwide. ” Over the last eight years, nearly 300 ACE alumni have dedicated over 20,450 service hours to communities worldwide, fostering cross-cultural understanding and development efforts.
Both athletic departments express gratitude to David Rubenstein, the Bing Family, and colleagues at both Duke and Stanford for their unwavering support and collaboration over the past eight years that has made the success of the ACE program possible. The pause on Stanford’s involvement presents an opportunity for Duke to expand ACE offerings for Duke student-athletes for Summer 2024. On November 8, Duke will announce the ACE Summer 2024 programming, with a commitment to expanding opportunities, enhancing accessibility, and diversifying the offerings, especially for fall sports.
As the ACE program enters a new phase, the promise to support the entire Duke and Stanford ACE alumni community remains steadfast. Durham states, “We stand committed to supporting all past ACE alumni, acknowledging the meaningful work and impact they have made in their communities and beyond. Their dedication to service and leadership should inspire us all to create lasting, positive impact on the world.”
The ACE program, now officially renamed the Rubenstein Student-Athlete Civic Engagement program, reflects the commitment of Duke Athletics to continuing to provide transformative international service experiences to its student-athletes.