Blue Devil of the Week: The Greeter for First-Generation Students

Name: Justin Clapp

Title: Director of the Office of Access and Outreach and the David M. Rubenstein Scholars Program

Time at Duke: 9 years

What he does at Duke: Clapp’s two roles Within the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support both involve working with first generation college students. Two years ago, Clapp became director of the inaugural David M. Rubenstein Scholars program, a competitive merit scholarship that provides financial, academic, personal and professional support for first-generation, low-income students.  

Clapp oversees the Rubenstein Scholars' six-week academic experience the summer before the students’ first year at Duke. He also establishes faculty-student mentorships, regular luncheons and professional readiness seminars. There are currently 87 David M. Rubenstein Scholars and another 60 will be selected from the incoming Class of 2022. 

“These are things that aren’t taught to you coming from rural and urban high schools,” Clapp said. “We help them navigate their identities and find their place at Duke.”

As director of the Office of Access and Outreach, Clapp works with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions on establishing financial support to the 600 first-generation college students at Duke. Once students arrive at campus, Clapp helps connect them with faculty and organizations that fall within their interests. The office is also assisting in the establishing the club "Duke LIFE,” which stands for Low-Income First-Generation Engagement.

“Duke is different from the average community in the U.S.,” Clapp said. “It’s a culture shock coming here for many students. They must learn a new language and navigate new social systems they’ve never seen before. We want to make sure these exceptional students have all the skills necessary to succeed at Duke.”

What he loves about Duke: As a first-generation college student, Clapp loves meeting students who remind him of the reason he’s in his profession.

“I get to the opportunity to help these students solve a problem or share in the greatest wins of their life,” he said. “The fact they choose to share it with me is special.”

Memorable day at work: Clapp experiences his favorite day at work twice a year: when the Rubenstein scholars move in for their summer course and when all other first-generation students move in before the start of the fall semester.

“They bring their families, and everyone is super excited and there’s no stress yet,” he said. “We get to be the ones that welcome them to campus and show them their future. I know their trajectory has changed from the moment they move in.”

First ever job: At 16 years old, Clapp spent a summer working with a contractor in Clayton. For the first half of the summer, Clapp and one other employee spent their days at construction sites while another person worked in the office. The office worker then asked to move to the field.

The contractor looks at all of us and goes 'Justin, you're in the office now,’" Clapp said. "I was excited because it meant I got to be more creative and less tedious." 

Best advice ever received: “Find your place and find your voice,” Clapp said. “Make sure to speak up when the opportunity arises.”

Something people might not know about him: Clapp performs once a month at the Pinhook as Vivica C. Coxx, a social justice drag queen.

Every show begins with a conversation about acceptance and love before Vivica lip syncs to some favorite songs, like Jennifer Hudson’s version of “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls” and “Big White Room” by Jessie J.

Clapp has been performing drag for about 15 years, but he created Coxx about five years ago in the spur of the moment. Clapp was sitting in Pinhook one night when the owner asked him if he knew anyone who could open for another drag queen.

“I don’t know what came over me in the moment, but I decided to go for it,” Clapp said. “The night of the performance I just went in and had the time of my life.”

Nominate a colleague to be the next Blue Devil of the Week.