Nasher MUSE (Museum Undergraduate Student Exec) serves as the museum’s undergraduate student voice of and for the Nasher Museum. As a bridge between the widely diverse student body and the museum, MUSE fosters student ownership of the museum, advises museum staff on effective ways to engage the Duke undergrads, and is proactive in promoting the museum throughout the Duke and Durham communities.

Connect with MUSE on Instagram @duke_muse

Ella Rubell, Class of 2025
Ella is a senior from Miami, majoring in Economics and minoring in Art History and Psychology. This year, she is the Chair of MUSE, and has been a member since her freshman year. Aside from her involvement with the Nasher, she spends her time planning events with the Duke organization, Business Oriented Women, and volunteering at Durham Public Schools. Her favorite artist is Yoshitomo Nara.

“Being on MUSE for all four years at Duke has been such an incredible experience. MUSE has allowed me to connect with members of the Duke community through our shared passion for art. I have loved being able to use this platform to encourage others to explore the Nasher and discover what art means to them. I have learned so much from my time on MUSE and will be forever grateful for all of the memories it has created, conversations it has sparked, and the community it has brought me.”

Clare New (left) and Ella Rubell at the entryway to the exhibition Second Nature. Photo by J Caldwell.

Clare New, Class of 2025
​​Clare is a senior from New York City who is majoring in Art History. She’s been on MUSE since her sophomore year. She loves to ski, play crosswords, and cook. Her favorite artist is Richard Serra.

“MUSE has been a highlight of my Duke experience. One of my favorite MUSE memories was the Study Hall event where I witnessed many friends connect with the Nasher.”

Robert Devoe, Class of 2025
Robert is a junior from San Diego, majoring in Art History and minoring in Visual Media Studies. He’s been on MUSE since his sophomore year. He’s a dancer and yoga instructor and is interested in fashion design and creative direction. His favorite artist is Isamu Noguchi.

“Being a MUSE member has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Duke experience. Whether it’s during one of our beloved events like Study Hall or walking through the gallery with a friend on a random Tuesday, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how the museum positively impacts Duke students. I love that I get the opportunity to connect my peers with the Nasher. I’m constantly reminded that this place truly has something for everyone.”

Robert DeVoe and Gabby Rivadeneira, enjoy the exhibition Spirit in the Land. Photo by J Caldwell.

Joyce Thomas, Class of 2026
Joyce is a junior studying History and Computer Science with a minor in Inequality Studies. She has been on MUSE since her sophomore year and is very interested in portraits and cross-hatching. A fun fact about Joyce is that she can fold in half backwards! Her favorite artist is Maisara Baroud.

“I joined MUSE because 1. Who wouldn’t want to work for a museum? 2. The Nasher is one of the best spots to be on campus, and 3. I get to go to so many amazing events with so many community members and learn more about the relationship and history between Durham and art.”

Ryan Bernstein, Class of 2026:
Ryan is a junior, studying History and Economics. He joined MUSE in the fall of his sophomore year. On campus, he is also involved with the Duke Undergraduate Energy and Climate Club and the Duke Impact Investing Group. He also enjoys volunteering with the Emily K Center, a nonprofit organization that supports academic and career development for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Ryan is very interested in the renewable energy transition and the ways financial markets, policy, and technology intersect. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

“The most rewarding part of MUSE has been working together with other students with different experiences at Duke and finding ways to reflect our experiences in the Nasher outreach and programming.”

Charlotte Yew Huixin, Class of 2027
Charlotte is a sophomore from Singapore, double majoring in Sociology and Public Policy. She’s been on MUSE since her freshman year. Charlotte also dances with Pureun, Duke’s Kpop dance team, and is interested in all things related to Asia, museums, and marketing! Being the hopeless romantic that she is, her favorite artist is Claude Monet.

“I love MUSE because it gives me a chance to make art accessible and relatable to students who might not otherwise have the chance to interact with museums.”

Ellie Sokolowski, Class of 2025
Ellie is a senior studying psychology. In addition to MUSE, she’s also interned within the Nasher’s Marketing and Development departments. Ellie is also involved with Jewish Life at Duke. Her favorite artists are Alex Katz and Andre Butzer. 

“I joined MUSE because the Nasher has brought me so much joy, exposed me to new people, art, and conversations over the past couple years at Duke and I want to help other undergrads do the same.”

Rania Farah, Class of 2027
Rania is a sophomore from New York City, studying Computer Science and Philosophy. In addition to MUSE, she is involved with the Duke Association for Business Oriented Women, DTech, the Chapel Scholars program, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences research, and the Buddhist Meditation Club. Rania’s favorite artists include Etel Adnan, Wassily Kandinsky, and Alex Katz. 

“I joined MUSE because art has always been a fundamental part of my life, and the Nasher holds a unique place in that journey. Encouraging student engagement with the museum through MUSE is so fulfilling, as I believe the Nasher offers something meaningful for every student to discover.”

MUSE members Phoebe Oblak, Ella Rubell, Natalia Immordino, and Charlotte Yew in front of Shadow and Light (For Julian Francis Abele) by Odili Donald Odita. Photo by Samantha Everette.

Phoebe Oblak, Class of 2027
Phoebe is a sophomore from New York City, majoring in Computational Media with a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She is also a part of Duke Business of Retail Society and in her free time loves to play tennis, practice yoga, and create her own art. Phoebe is interested in art that ventures across a range of mediums and disciplines; her favorite artist is Agnes Denes. 

“The Nasher was my first stop on my very first visit to Duke’s campus, and I was thrilled by its beautiful architecture, exhibitions, and of course the delicious brunch. Since then, I have loved bringing friends and family to explore each new exhibition, and love that MUSE provides the opportunity to further connect the museum and the student body.”

Natalia Immordino, Class of 2026
Natalia is a junior majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Economics and Art History. On campus she is also involved in research in the Becker Lab for Functional Biomaterials and is a part of the International Association. Her favorite artist is Alberto Giacometti.

“I joined MUSE as I wanted to help contribute to enriching the role of the Nasher on campus, and strengthening its relationship with the student body. I want to share my passion for art with like-minded students and stimulate appreciation for the artistic community around us.”

• Engage with the Fall 2024 traveling exhibition, Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene
• Host Nasher MUSE Study Hall
• Participate in networking opportunities with campus and community leaders
• Attend exclusive museum events

Membership in MUSE is open, by application, to Duke undergraduate students of all majors.

We recruit each Fall!

If you have any questions or would like to discuss being a part of Nasher MUSE, please email Gabrielle Tenedero, Museum Educator for Student Engagement, at gabrielle.tenedero@duke.edu.

Nasher MUSE is generously supported by The Sahm Family Foundation.