From the Nominator

Working@Duke is the primary print publication for about 38,000 staff and faculty at Duke University and Duke University Health System. The publication, now in its 13th year, offers a “one-stop shop” for news and information about institutional priorities, employee benefits, services and programs, and campus happenings. Through a journalistic approach that includes creative story conceptualization, clear writing and story structure, and an expert understanding of the audience, the publication illustrates how employees support Duke’s institutional mission, as well as how Duke values its employees. The central component of our articles is people. Every story includes a staff or faculty member who illustrates a program, service or aspect of Duke’s mission. Through people, we make the important topic interesting and engaging.

From the Judges

Working@Duke is well executed, user friendly, practical, and clever. We loved the innovative story ideas, especially the Duke at Night story and the story about “comeback colleagues” returning to Duke. It is beautifully designed. This is a top-notch publication that provides comprehensive information to Duke staffers and effectively helps to increase their sense of affinity and attachment with the university. Duke is to be commended for the resources it invests in the publication. It’s easy to see why it is a national model. Clearly it is successful at building community. The employee survey was another plus for the strategic nature of the publication.

We also liked how the publication strikes a balance of Duke’s historic identity and its modern incarnation (in particular with the stories about Duke’s innovative environmental initiatives). The photography is another strength of this entry. The nomination was very well written and thought out, a perfect companion to Working@Duke. It was very difficult to choose the top winner in this category and the scores were very close. Well done!