Ysanne Spence is a senior studying Cultural Anthropology and Public Policy with a certificate in Child Policy Research. She was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica before completing high school in Lake Mary, Florida. At Duke, she has participated in BUILD pre-orientation program as a participant and a crew-leader, the FOCUS program, DukeEngage, Duke University Union’s First-year Intern Program and has been both their Vice President of Administration and their Vice President of External Affairs. She has also tutored at Student Union through America Reads America Counts. In her senior year, she is the President of Duke University Union, sings on Duke Amandla Chorus, and a member of Duke Presidential Ambassadors. She has served on several university committees including the searches for Dean of Students, John Blackshear, and the search for AVP of Campus Life, Shruti Desai. She served on the NGLLE 2.0 initiative and still works with the Office of Student Affairs on its implementation. After graduation, Ysanne will be working in New York City as a Consultant.

Honors Thesis: Pickney Fi Learn: An Analysis of Jamaica’s Response to COVID-19 for Elementary-Aged Students

Faculty Advisor: Professor David M. Malone