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Promoting Diversity and Graduate Education

Dean of Duke's Graduate School loves mysteries, circuses and searching for precious stones

Paula McClain, center, was the faculty sponsor for Oprah Winfrey, left, during the 2009 commencement ceremonies at Duke.
Paula McClain, center, was the faculty sponsor for Oprah Winfrey, left, during the 2009 commencement ceremonies at Duke.

Name: Paula D. McClain

Years at Duke: 13 

Position: Professor of political science and public policy, Dean of the Graduate School, and Vice Provost for Graduate Education

What do I do at Duke: Currently my passion is promoting graduate education. We have about 2,500 Ph.D. students and 700 master's degree students. As part of the Duke Forward campaign, I am very involved in raising money so that we can increase our graduate fellowships, especially the summer research fellowships. I also continue to teach, work with graduate students, and remain highly involved in academic affairs, having served on and chaired the Appointments, Promotions and Tenure committee and the Academic Council in the past.

A memorable moment at Duke: I was Oprah Winfrey's faculty sponsor when she was the commencement speaker in 2009. But even more important was getting to know John Hope Franklin really well. He's why I came to Duke.

My first paid job:  I taught baton twirling in high school. I was the head majorette at the East Anchorage High School in Alaska and taught in a youth program on Saturdays. 

To start a conversation with me, ask about: My research. I'm passionate about researching how Americans think about race, especially among ethnic and minority groups. I'm a faculty member at heart.  

My dream job: I have my dream job here at Duke, but if I had to have a job outside of academia I would want to run a major circus. I've loved circuses since I was a child, and I think it would be fun to figure out all the travel, the payroll, how many vets you need - everything it takes to run a circus. 

If I had $5 million I would: I would endow the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute. It is a pipeline program sponsored by Duke and the American Political Science Association to get students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to study political science at the graduate level. The goal is to increase faculty diversity in political science.

When I'm not at Duke I like to: Buy stones on eBay and have them made into jewelry. It's thrilling to find a stone for a very low price and find that it is quite valuable.. 

What I love about Duke: There is an openness by folks at Duke to help you do new things. For example, people were very supportive in 2004 when Kerry Haynie and I wanted to start the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Gender in the Social Sciences (REGSS).  

A book I recently read: I'm a mystery lover. I find mysteries keep my brain active. I recently read "W is for Wasted" by Sue Grafton and sent a letter to the author thanking her for mentioning Duke graduate education in the book. I got a lovely letter in reply. 

My favorite movie: "Casablanca" is my favorite movie, but my favorite actor is Robert Donat, as I love the original Goodbye, Mr. Chips movie from 1939. 

A superpower I would like to have: The ability to get nations to treat all people equitably. 

The best advice I've received: When I was in graduate school at Howard University, Lorraine Williams in history served as a mentor to the few women in the  social science graduate programs . When we were ready to take up our first academic appointment , she told us, `keep your head down and write.' It was good advice.