A Blue Devil Fan, Renewed
Leslie Grinage saw her first Duke-UNC basketball game in-person this year
Name: Leslie GrinagePosition: Assistant dean of students, Student ConductYears at Duke: 7
What I do at Duke: I investigate and adjudicate allegations of misconduct by undergraduate students, which could be anything from academic dishonesty or behavioral misconduct. I have a slew of cases and lots of other meetings throughout the week.
If I had $5 million, I would: I’m a full-time doctoral student at Vanderbilt, so I’d pay my tuition off. I’m getting my doctorate of education in educational leadership and policy and fly to Nashville every other weekend. After I took care of that, I’d go on vacation whenever I’d find time between school and work and go all over Europe.
My first ever job: When I was in high school, I helped survey Spanish speakers about Medicaid. A friend’s mom paid me to help her out one summer when I was 17. I’m from New York City, so we’d go to public parks where parents took kids to play and do the surveys. I wasn’t even fluent in Spanish, but was pretty good in high school.
My dream job: I think I’d be a dancer. I have no formal training, but I just think it’s so beautiful. I have great respect for dancers and how they’re able to move their bodies. I think I’d be in pain every day.
If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: The best place I’ve ever traveled, and I’d tell them I studied abroad in Cuba in college. I got an educational visa for four months during my junior year and spent it in Havana. It was like stepping back in time and neat to see how this society was still functioning and living despite obvious challenges. I also got to hear Fidel Castro speak live three times.
What I love about Duke: I honestly love our students. They are so talented and so smart. You get caught up in a conversation with one of them and you feel like asking ‘how did you even learn to do that?’ I learn so much from Duke students.
When I’m not at work, I like to: I try to watch Jeopardy every night. It’s probably my favorite show because I love trivia. I feel really good when I get the Final Jeopardy question right and all the contestants don’t, which rarely happens, but I it makes me feel like a big deal.
An interesting/memorable day at work for me: I got to see Duke play Carolina at Cameron this season, which was my first time in eight years seeing Duke play live and it was one of my favorite Duke days ever. I think I have a newfound appreciation for the rivalry as well as for the team as whole. I really liked watching Tyus Jones play. You can tell he wants to win when you watch on TV, but it was a whole different energy level in person. I even watch Inside Duke Basketball with Coach K now.