DURHAM, N.C. –  Despite international travel for The Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program (ACE) being canceled for the summer of 2020, the ACE Program has multiple past participants who continue to demonstrate the values ACE taught them as part of being an ACE Ambassador. This week, we highlight Jazmine Moreno.

In February 2014, Duke's Board of Trustee's, chaired by Duke alumnus David Rubenstein, traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., and met with officials from Stanford to determine opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions. The challenging schedules of student-athletes, which make participating in off-campus activities such as study abroad programs difficult, was identified as an issue the two universities could work together on in order to develop a solution, leading to the genesis of ACE. The ACE program was officially announced in Spring 2015.

Recent Duke graduate and member of the softball team, Moreno traveled to South Africa in 2019 with the ACE Program.

"I think it is worth it because not only are you making a difference in a community but also I am going to gain perspective and experience," Moreno said. "Being a Duke student, you kind of get stuck in a bubble and you forget how fortunate we are here, and that not everyone is as lucky and not everyone has as many opportunities as we do. Why not do this? Why not take 3 weeks out of our summer when it could potentially help out a community's life."

Moreno graduated with a degree in neuroscience along with a minor in evolutionary anthropology. She is involved in Duke Athletics, showing commitment as a mentor for the ACTION program in addition to giving lessons to youth softball players. Moreno's past experience with service includes participating in youth sports camps, Boys and Girls Club service, the Durham soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, tutoring, a retirement home, Toys for Tots and Durham Miracle League.

While in the township of Zola, Moreno grew close with the children and hopes to better understand worldwide issues and cultural differences. She looks forward to giving back to the ACE program as an ACE ambassador to help future student-athletes understand their purpose and importance of understanding cultures and social issues in the countries they will be working in.

"The kids wanted to play non-stop every day when we were with them," Moreno said. "They treated everyone like family. They would get excited for one another when they did something great, would comfort each other if someone got hurt, and if someone messed up they would all laugh. The kids taught me more than I could ever teach them. My advice is to appreciate those around you and do not worry about what you do not have in your life. All that matters is what you do have. I will forever be grateful for the kids we worked with and the experience I had with them."

Moreno plans to attend Duke's Fuqua Master Program for her last year of eligibility with the softball program.

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