Duke formally announced its Climate Commitment on September 29, 2022. That day also marked a minor milestone for the undergraduate Class of 2026: the completion of their first full month of classes. Over the next four years, many of these students would take advantage of the opportunities Duke offers to study and tackle real-world climate and energy challenges.
These profiles highlight six graduating seniors whose journeys in climate and sustainability have unfolded in especially memorable ways:
Working across Duke’s schools and programs—and in collaboration with an engaged community of alumni, partners, and supporters—the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability creates educational experiences that expand hands-on learning opportunities and equip students as leaders.
Sometimes that learning is linked to coursework. Several of these students took part in the Global Energy: Past, Present & Future FOCUS cluster, a living-and-learning community for first-year undergraduates. Some have taken highly applied courses such as the U.N. Climate Change Negotiations Practicum, or completed curricular programs like the Certificate in Energy and Environment and the Minor in Energy Engineering.
Much learning happens beyond the classroom as well. “The Nicholas Institute, with partners inside and outside Duke, conducts applied research and work directly with energy and climate decision-makers to accelerate solutions, bridging our expertise with leaders across many sectors,” said director Brian Murray. “We often involve students in these efforts, creating opportunities for them to meet—and sometimes collaborate with—professionals tackling energy and environmental challenges.”
Students highlighted here have taken part in summer experiences like the Energy Internship Program and Nicholas Institute-led DukeEngage projects—opportunities made possible in part through the support of alumni and friends of Duke. They’ve conducted hands-on interdisciplinary research through Bass Connections in Energy and Environment, connected with practitioners at industry-focused convenings like Duke’s annual energy and climate finance summit, joined “ask me anything” sessions with professionals at Power Lunches, and received career advising and mentorship along the way.
Duke students also shape their own learning through “student-fueled opportunities” supported by the Nicholas Institute. The students featured here have taken the reins of existing programs like Energy Week and created new ones like the Summit for Ocean Stewards. And they’re not just building on campus—they’re creating platforms like Energy Terminal to connect with their peers across the country, and testing their innovative solutions in national competitions like the EnergyTech University Prize.
Article by Bryan Koen, Assistant Director for Education & Experiential Learning, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability