From the Program Chair
"The Duke Environmental Leadership program convenes emerging leaders from across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Our collaborative environment draws on the skills and experience of our students, and alumni report that connections with their cohort continue well beyond graduation. Our faculty are committed to bringing the most recent research and most relevant practice into the DEL-MEM classroom.
Our unique hybrid model creates a community of students and faculty through intensive place-based sessions and dynamic online discussions. Completing a two-year master's degree as a mid-career professional is challenging, but our program is designed to complement your expertise and existing work commitments. Our alumni are now in leadership positions across the globe and are helping to train the next generation of environmental leaders."
Meet Our Students
Current students and alumni consistently say that they choose a DEL-MEM for several reasons, perhaps most importantly that it allows them to continue meeting responsibilities in both their current environmental profession and personal life. We also hear that, unlike larger programs, the small cohort affords exposure to less familiar perspectives and career fields that positively impact the way they approach their own work.
Qualities of a Typical DEL-MEM Student
- Has an established background in field directly related to the environment, with a minimum of five years of relevant experience
- Exhibits strong qualitative skills and intellectual ability to complete a graduate degree program at Duke University
- Is currently in a leadership position, or poised to advance to the next level
- Is seeking to update and add depth to their current skills, with a focus on management and leadership training
Employment Diversity
We are committed to recruiting and admitting a diverse student body comprised of high potential, mid-career professionals from all sectors with a minimum of five years of relevant experience.
Our students come from amazing organizations – ranging from small nonprofits like Renew Missouri to large private firms such as Google. They work in government, nonprofit organizations, private industry and consulting.
Geographic Diversity
Students are geographically diverse, representing all regions of the United States and across the globe. Each cohort represents students from across the country and world. This diversity fuels discussion as different localities bring different environmental pressures and concerns. International students provide alternative lessons and case studies in environmental management and leadership.
The DEL-MEM program adapts to time zone issues by recording all web conference course meetings and adjusting course meeting times, when available and appropriate.
Professional Experience
Most students come with six to 10 years of professional environmental experience. One third have between 11-20 years of experience. The minimum requirement of five years of professional experience ensures that all students can offer a leadership and management perspective that enhances peer-to-peer learning.
Additionally, a DEL-MEM has a dedicated focus on leadership, which participants say is a significant contributor to their confidence and career growth. Past participants have reported earning a promotion—some while still in the program—by applying lessons learned to enhance their management skills.
Alumni Testimonials
The DEL Program with its interdisciplinary global themes, and strategic approaches to environmental management helped me transition to a new path in my existing career…It helped me stay competitive in today’s ever-changing business environment.”
LIDIA BERGER, DEM-MEM ‘09
Vice President/Sustainable Practice Director, URS Facilities Management Services LLC
The Nicholas School helped me advance to the next level in my career because I gained a greater understanding of environmental issues, became a more effective leader, and was exposed to an extensive network of environmental professionals. There are few academic programs with such a high reputation for providing the tools and experience needed to become effective and well-informed leaders in the environmental field."
BRIAN HOLLY, DEL-MEM ‘11
Vice President/Senior Ecologist, BioResource Consultants, Inc.
The DEL-MEM program understands the importance of a multisector and multidisciplinary approach to solving our most pressing environmental challenges…I am a much better advocate for my state regulatory agency today than I would have been had I not completed the DEL-MEM program.”
DIKA KUOH, DEL-MEM ‘13
Deputy Branch Chief, Georgia Environmental Protection Division/Air Protection Branch
I took every course on water that I could, from ‘International Law of the Sea’ to ‘Coastal Ecosystems’. It was great to enter academia to understand how others were thinking about these challenges…The faculty were phenomenal.”
ALYSON MYERS, DEL-MEM ‘15
President, Fearless Fund
The Nicholas School provided invaluable experience that is directly applicable to my day-to-day work. Even though my degree hangs on the wall, my education continues through the tremendous network of Nicholas School staff and graduates.”
KRISTEN BREMER, DEM-MEM ‘13
Policy and Communications Analyst, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
DEL-MEM Cohort Makes Connections at Duke Marine Lab Session
First-year students in the Duke Environmental Leadership (DEL-MEM) participated in their first place-based session and orientation on the Duke University and Duke Marine Lab campuses. Students from our mid-career, cohort-based program discuss their takeaways from the experience and getting to know each other.
Why Duke DEL-MEM?
Greg discusses his experience as a student in the Nicholas School's DEL-MEM program. Topics include: what he's getting out of the program, how he is applying new knowledge to his job at REI, balancing his studies with his career and more.
Why Duke DEL-MEM?
Lisa discusses her experience as a student in the Nicholas School's DEL-MEM program. Topics include: what brought her to the program, how she is applying new knowledge to her job with the Washington Environmental Council, and balancing her studies with her career.
DEL-MEM Students Learn from Environmental Leaders on D.C. Trip
The Duke Environmental Leadership (DEL) Program traveled to Washington D.C. for its leadership module in December 2017. Students from our online Master of Environmental Management with a focus in leadership program as well as faculty and staff discuss their takeaways from the experience.
You’ll find Nicholas School alums pursuing their passion and making positive impacts worldwide. Our programs give them the foundational knowledge and practical skills to become leaders and innovators in a wide array of fields and sectors.
DEL-MEM'13
DEL-MEM'14
DEL-MEM ’11
Related News
-
-
May 14, 2019