Completed Event: Track & Field versus NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 10, 2026 , , M: NTS | W: T-24th (11)
/
Final
Track & Field
vs NCAA Outdoor Championships
ACE Ambassador Spotlight: Esteban Suarez
7/10/2020 12:03:00 PM | Track & Field
ACE Ambassador Spotlight: Esteban Suarez
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 Esteban Suarez.
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 track & field team, Suarez traveled to Peru in 2019 with the ACE Program.
He graduated with a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and hopes to have a career in pediatrics. He enjoys going on adventures and learning about other cultures (mainly through food). His participation in ACE in Peru has motivated him to be more involved with community volunteering programs in the hopes to grow his Durham family.
Traveling to Peru allowed Suarez to see the importance of education and community support from an outside perspective. This has influenced his interest in grassroots outreach programs that support low-income families and immigrants. The relationships and memories created with fellow Duke and Stanford athletes along with the children and locals in Peruvian communities are experiences that Esteban will never forget. As an ACE Ambassador, he is committed to helping current and future ACE participants get the most out of their experience abroad.
"My favorite moment on my ACE in Peru trip was dancing atop a hill with the locals, looking out at their community," Suarez said. "ACE is a program created through unshakable relationships. That's why it means everything that they're continuing their mission to connect during a time of total separation. Next year I'll still be around to offer support, even if it's wearing my Peru shirt on a weekly basis!"
Suarez plans to stay in the Durham area to work with local schools.
#GoDuke
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 track & field team, Suarez traveled to Peru in 2019 with the ACE Program.
He graduated with a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and hopes to have a career in pediatrics. He enjoys going on adventures and learning about other cultures (mainly through food). His participation in ACE in Peru has motivated him to be more involved with community volunteering programs in the hopes to grow his Durham family.
Traveling to Peru allowed Suarez to see the importance of education and community support from an outside perspective. This has influenced his interest in grassroots outreach programs that support low-income families and immigrants. The relationships and memories created with fellow Duke and Stanford athletes along with the children and locals in Peruvian communities are experiences that Esteban will never forget. As an ACE Ambassador, he is committed to helping current and future ACE participants get the most out of their experience abroad.
"My favorite moment on my ACE in Peru trip was dancing atop a hill with the locals, looking out at their community," Suarez said. "ACE is a program created through unshakable relationships. That's why it means everything that they're continuing their mission to connect during a time of total separation. Next year I'll still be around to offer support, even if it's wearing my Peru shirt on a weekly basis!"
Suarez plans to stay in the Durham area to work with local schools.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track & FieldTuesday, June 17
Friday, May 30
Tuesday, April 01
Saturday, October 19
