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Fall Reflection Challenge

Three people peer into a pool of water

Calling All 2026 DukeEngage Participants!

DukeEngage has always been about transformational experiences…

  • ethical dilemmas that defy easy answers;
  • unexpected discoveries;
  • missteps that become lessons;
  • difficult conversations;
  • relationships that reshape our understanding;
  • moments of growth that continue long after the summer ends.

These moments challenge our assumptions, deepen our understanding, and open new possibilities.

As you wrap up your summer, we challenge you to identify, reflect on, and share the experiences that shaped you, through writing, imagery, spoken word, or another creative medium.

The Contest

We invite you to share the experiences, questions, relationships, and insights that shaped your summer by entering the DukeEngage Fall Reflection Contest.

You can enter by yourself, with your DukeEngage group, or both!

Format

It’s up to you:

  • Submit an outline for an oral story—funny, serious, or inspiring (like the ones we heard at Convocation)
  • Polish up a reflective essay
  • Put together a 10-slide photo essay with thoughtful captions
  • Create a compelling Ignite talk
  • Or share any other original work (e.g., musical composition, poem)

Categories

What does your reflection touch on? You’ll select one or more when you submit:

  • What Changed My Mind: A moment that reshaped my perspective
  • More Than a Project: The relationships behind the work
  • When the Plan Fell Apart: The moment everything went wrong

Prizes

  • Best entry in each category — $200
  • Best entry overall — $350 for you, and $350 for your partner organization!

Deadline

11:59 p.m. Eastern, September 1st (2026)

 

Enter here.

Originality and Use of AI

The DukeEngage Fall Reflection Contest is intended to showcase your own reflections, insights, experiences, and creative work. Because the purpose of the contest is personal reflection and storytelling, submissions must be your original work and may not be generated, drafted, rewritten, or substantially edited using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Limited use of AI for minor administrative or technical purposes (such as spell-checking, formatting assistance, or transcription of an oral story) is permitted. However, the ideas, reflections, language, analysis, and creative expression in the submission must be your own.

By submitting an entry, you affirm that your work complies with these guidelines.

FAQs

  • Can you enter even if you’re studying off campus this fall? Yes! If selected, we’ll help you share your work here.
  • Can entries be group creations? Yes! (If a prize is awarded to a group, it will be divided evenly between entrants.) 
  • Can you (or your group) submit more than one entry? Yes! Just complete the entry form multiple times.
  • Can you enter as an individual AND with a group? Yes!
  • What makes a good entry? We’re looking for observations and insights about your experience, reflection on prior understandings, and evidence of growth–personal, academic, or civic (as a member of society).

Need a Spark? Find Your Story.

DukeEngage Storytelling Workshops

If you’re studying on campus, join one of these storytelling adventures and earn an extra chance to win the Fall Reflection Contest. Whether or not you’re entering the contest, you’ll leave with a story you can use anywhere—from conversations with friends to future job interviews.

In these interactive sessions with Leah Torrey of Duke’s Say the Thing project, you’ll:

  • Discover what makes a story unforgettable
  • Pinpoint the moments from your DukeEngage experience that best show what you learned
  • Experiment with ways to tell your story so people lean in to hear more

You’ll walk out with new insights, fresh ideas, and maybe even your winning Reflection Challenge entry.

Dates and times:

Wednesday, August 19, 2:00-3:00 PM, Zoom | Register here

Entering the contest, attending a workshop, and attending the Reunion each earn you one entry into a random drawing for cool prizes!

Helpful tips:

  • On pitching an oral story: It’s not necessary to have your story fully fleshed out—sign up for a workshop if you can, but even if you can’t, go ahead and submit your idea. If it shows promise, we’ll contact you to set up 1:1 coaching with one of our fantastic storytelling consultants (e.g., Jeff Polish of The Monti or Leah Torrey of Say the Thing). The entry form asks for a draft paragraph on each of the following (applicable to all Challenge categories):
    • What were your expectations going into this situation?
    • How were your expectations challenged? (What was the conflict?)
    • How did you rise (or succumb!) to that challenge?
    • What did you learn, or how do you reflect on this experience now? How are you different?
  • On what makes a great reflective essay: Purdue has a great post on how to write in this genre—it captures very well what we mean by critical reflection. See also past examples here.
  • On how to curate an amazing photo essay: We like this Master Class—or check out the Hamster, a unique Duke approach! For the Reflection Challenge, submit up to 10 photos, in PowerPoint. Use the Notes field to include 2-3 sentences summarizing your insights and reflections on the photo, and if possible, record a voice-over of you reading these reflections. Also in the Notes field, state the location, what is happening in the photo, and names and roles of identifiable people.
  • On how to create an Ignite talk: See the Ignite About page. For the Reflection Challenge, use PowerPoint, and use the Notes field for your script. Be sure to follow the Ignite formula of 20 slides, 15 seconds each, and run through your talk once for yourself, to make sure the timing will work if you’re selected! For a bit more guidance, see The Fastest Way to Create an Ignite Presentation.

Questions? dukeengage@duke.edu