Search Committee Named for New Nicholas School Dean

Nicholas School building exterior

Provost Alec Gallimore has appointed a committee to lead the search for Duke University’s next Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment.

The new dean will succeed Toddi Steelman, who was appointed vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability on July 1, 2023. Lori Bennear, a member of the faculty since 2004 who previously served as executive vice dean, is leading the school in an interim capacity.

The search committee will be chaired by Brian Murray, director of the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, and research professor in the Nicholas School of the Environment. Other members of the committee are:

  • Emily Bernhardt, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor and Chair, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences;
  • Lisa Campbell, Rachel Carson Distinguished Professor of Marine Affairs and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Sara Childs, Executive Director, Office of the Duke Forest;
  • Ryan Emanuel, Associate Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Ross Fly, Dual MEM/MBA Student, Nicholas School of the Environment and Fuqua School of Business;          
  • Kathryn Hoenig, Chair, Board of Visitors, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Nishad Jayasundara, Juli Plant Grainger Assistant Professor of Global Environmental Health, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Prasad Kasibhatla, Professor in the Division of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Emily Klein, University Distinguished Service Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment;
  • Nancy Lauer, Staff Scientist and Lecturing Fellow, Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, School of Law;
  • Jerry Lynch, Vinik Dean, Pratt School of Engineering;
  • Emma Rasiel, Richard Y. Li Professor of the Practice and Associate Chair, Economics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences;
  • Candis Watts Smith , Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education; and
  • Norbert Wilson, Professor of Food, Economics, and Community, Divinity School.

The provost has charged the committee with conducting a thorough search to identify a diverse pool of candidates for the position. Executive search firm Spencer Stuart will support the committee.

The search committee invites candidate nominations and comments about the position via email to DukeNSOE@SpencerStuart.com. All submissions will be considered confidential.