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Ahead of 91��������’s , the Nicholas School of the Environment has selected the recipients of three faculty and staff awards for excellence in mentoring students.

• Courtney Sullivan, assistant director of employer relations for the Career and Professional Development Center, will receive the Karen Kirchof Staff Award for Excellence in Mentoring Students.
• John Virdin, assistant professor of the practice in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation, will receive the Lynn Maguire Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring of Professional Students.
• Kate Hoffman, director of graduate studies for the Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program, will receive the Norm Christensen Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students.

“These awardees demonstrate what it means to lead with empathy, integrity, and a deep commitment to cultivating inclusive learning environments. Their mentorship has made a lasting impact on our students and our school,” said Mauriell Amechi, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, who chaired the selection process for the Kirchof and Christensen Awards.

Hoffman will be honored during the Nicholas School’s Ph.D. graduate recognition ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, in Duke’s Love Auditorium, within the Levine Science Research Center. Sullivan and Virdin will be honored during the school’s professional student recognition ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Duke’s Wilson Recreation Center. Learn more about Nicholas School recognition ceremonies.

Karen Kirchof Staff Award for Excellence in Mentoring Students

Created in 2023, the Karen Kirchof Staff Award honors exemplary mentoring that lies at the core of the school’s undergraduate, professional and doctoral programs. Students are invited to identify full-time staff who embody the example of thoughtful, intentional and inclusive mentoring set by the late Karen Kirchof, who dedicated 27 years to helping students as a longtime assistant dean and director of the Nicholas School.

In choosing Courtney Sullivan, assistant director of employer relations for the Career and Professional Development Center, nominators highlighted her approachability and efforts to cultivate student self-esteem. “She has an innate ability to connect with students, understand their aspirations and help them identify the right pathways to achieve their goals. Her mentoring style is both supportive and empowering, fostering the confidence students need to pursue their interests in the environmental sector,” according to one nomination letter.

Students also praised her work providing activities focused on skill-building and professional networking: “She organizes career panels and collaborates with student organizations to host discussions tailored to specific interests. These initiatives not only strengthen our networking skills but also foster a sense of community among current students and alumni.”

Lynn Maguire Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring of Professional Students

Created in 2020, the Lynn Maguire Award is named in honor of Nicholas School founding member Lynn Maguire, an emeritus professor of the practice in the Division of Environmental Social Systems. The award recognizes faculty who exemplify excellence in teaching, mentoring and advising students in the Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forestry, or Duke Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management programs.

John Virdin, assistant professor of the practice in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation and director of the Ocean and Coastal Policy Program at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, received praise for making dense policy concepts engaging and accessible, and for connecting theory to real-world policy applications.

Student nominators also emphasized his enthusiasm and conviviality, noting that he is “eager to involve students in interesting independent research projects” and “has always been exceptionally kind, easygoing, cheerful and generous with his time and knowledge.”

Additionally, students highlighted Virdin’s role in guiding the student organization and the , which this year “created opportunities for students to collaborate with the Office of Climate and Sustainability to help solve plastics waste problems across 91��������.”

Norm Christensen Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

The Norm Christensen Award, named for the Nicholas School’s founding dean, recognizes the considerable efforts of full-time faculty who consistently invest their time and attention in mentoring doctoral students in and outside the classroom.

Kate Hoffman, director of graduate studies for the Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program and an associate research professor of environmental natural sciences, mentors Ph.D. students while also serving on multiple Ph.D. student committees and working with students on rotation.

Student nominators raved about her “unwavering dedication” to their success and well-being, which requires organizing and attending community events, participating in student-led initiatives, and frequently adjusting her schedule to suit her students’ needs, among other efforts. 

“She strikes a rare balance as a mentor, encouraging professional growth by supporting early opportunities for networking, such as conference presentations, while also alleviating unnecessary stress by facilitating introductions to collaborators,” they wrote. “A defining quality of Dr. Hoffman’s mentorship is her ability to help all students feel valued and supported. By creating a welcoming and safe mentoring environment, she contributes greatly to the Nicholas School’s culture of inclusivity.”