The Hart Leadership Program is pleased to announce the selection of new Fellows for the Leadership in Arts Policy Internship – LAPI Program. These thoughtful students will explore the intersection of arts policy and leadership through their experience as LAPI Fellows this year.
Their journey with the gateway course “Arts Policy, Leadership, and Engagement” (PUBPOL 213), taught by Professor Andrew Nurkin. This community-engaged course introduces contemporary issues in US arts policy and cultural sector leadership across various themes. In this course, students will engage with creative institutions, cultural equity and accessibility, creative place-making, community development, and the creative economy. In the summer, LAPI Fellows will further their learning through arts-policy internships and critical reflection, with the opportunity to make their work public when they return to campus in the fall semester
Introducing the 2025 LAPI Fellows:
J’adore Harris-Tavita is a passionate advocate for justice and creative expression, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Inequality Studies and Journalism and Media at Duke University. Her academic journey is enriched by a deep interest in the criminal justice system and forensic psychology, aiming to earn a PhD and open a practice for underserved communities in New Zealand. J’adore is actively involved in initiatives that challenge systemic inequality, from advocating for death penalty abolition to turning out voters on campus. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she brings action-oriented leadership to civic engagement projects like World Against the Death Penalty Day. J’adore is also an advocate for the power of art to heal and inspire change, exploring music’s role in challenging domestic violence through the Leadership in Arts Policy Program. Her multifaceted work blends research, empathy, and creative activism to uplift marginalised voices and promote meaningful societal change.
Jeffrey Broms is a sophomore from Vernon Hills, IL, studying physics and music. Alongside his pronounced interest in physics and applied mathematics, he values the opportunity to practice the arts at Duke. As a performer, Jeffrey’s credits include double bass with the Duke Symphony Orchestra and the Midwest Young Arts Conservatory in addition to double bass and bass guitar in Mamma Mia! and A Chorus Line; broadly, he is excited about excellent performance, education, and outreach in classical music through arts presenters and community-focused organizations. Outside of music, Jeffrey works with the undergraduate advisory board of the Duke Libraries and with Duke Arts to develop Duke-Durham Public Schools relations. In his free time, he can often be found playing board games, solving crosswords, and reveling in the beauty of the Duke Gardens. With his passion for the planning and realization of fulfilling arts programming, Jeffrey is thrilled to be involved in LAPI!
Jeslyn Cai is a sophomore from Spokane, WA, studying Public Policy and International Comparative Studies with a minor in Music. A classical pianist from a young age, Jeslyn has been immersed in the arts her whole life, and her interest in social impact drives her ambition to pursue arts policy and administration. She currently serves as VP of Programming for DuArts and is a keyboardist in Duke Hoof ‘n’ Horn’s pit orchestra. Jeslyn is also involved in the Penny Pilgrim George Women’s Leadership Initiative, the Franklin Humanities Institute Human Rights Student Advisory Board, and is a Bass Connections Student Researcher. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring nature, and giving back to her community.
Maria Lissovolik is a sophomore from Washington, DC studying public policy and economics. On campus, she is involved with the Penny Pilgrim George Women’s Leadership Initiative, the Muse (a feminist literary magazine), and Duke’s Swing Dance group. She is fascinated by the intersection between women’s policy and art policy, and is excited to explore these topics more through the Hart Leadership Program! Outside of her (definitely very reasonable) time commitments, she also loves to read, write, bake, and attend dance classes.
Sydney Weiner is a junior from New York, NY, majoring in Art History and Political Science with a concentration in political economy. On campus, Sydney writes for Duke’s creative publication by and for female-identifying students, is part of the pre-law society, a member of Duke University Improv, and a tour guide, where she makes prospective students and their parents listen to her corny jokes. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her friends, going to concerts, and going on long walks in the Duke gardens on the phone. Having grown up surrounded by the arts and working in a gallery last summer, she is fascinated by how governments can support public and private art institutions alike, a partnership she is very excited to continue exploring in the upcoming months.
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