Orientation Schedule 2026

• Orientation marks the beginning of your journey at the Nicholas School and Duke. It involves more than simply academic sessions and course registration. It offers a chance to meet new people, discover what’s possible, and begin shaping your experience here. The week is designed to help you: Build community with your cohort; Connect with returning students, faculty, and staff; Explore campus and discover key resources; and Meet your academic advisor and fellow classmates
• What to Expect: The first day is designed to offer a smooth and flexible transition into the week. Several sessions throughout Orientation are mandatory – your full participation in these is expected. The rest of the schedule offers a variety of optional sessions and activities, and we strongly encourage you to join those that interest you. These are great opportunities to start building friendships, discover campus offerings, and feel rooted in your new community.

• Coffee/tea service and grab & go snacks will be provided on the first floor of Grainger Hall, outside of Field Auditorium. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
• Location: Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Drive), West Campus

• Check-in & Welcome Packet: Stop by at any time between 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM to pick up your welcome packet.
• Location: From the first floor of Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Drive), walk across the breezeway to Hug Commons, LSRC. Each new student will be given their sustainable name tag, a T-shirt, and tote bag (made from recycled cotton).
• HR Office Hours:📌10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.

• Meet your Orientation student volunteers affectionately known as Orientation Champions
  • Rachel Surtshin: Environmental Economics and Policy and Energy and Environment (Orientation Student Leader, Nicholas School Student Council)🌱
  • Abby Roller: Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) and Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE)
  • Alexander Hornaday: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Community Engagement and Environmental Justice (CEEJ)
  • Alonso Velasquez: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)
  • Athena Tamayo: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP)
  • Clare Petkash: Business and Environment (BE) and Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE)
  • Danielle Schwartz: Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) and Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE)
  • Elizabeth Miles-Flynn: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)
  • Kyle Falk: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)
  • Lige Nie: Master of Forestry (MF) + Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Sarah Slay: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM) + Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP)
  • Yitong Su: Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) and Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM)

• Join us for a student panel with various orientation leaders to hear tips and advice on academics, life in Durham, extracurricular activities, wellness, social spaces, and more. Stop by during this time to hear from your peers.

• 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Large group activity
  • Location: TBD
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Team Building Activity with your assigned small group and Orientation Champion
  • Location: Small group activities will occur in Grainger Hall and the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC).
  • A109, LSRC
  • A148, LSRC
  • A155, LSRC
  • A156, LSRC
  • A247, LSRC
  • Hug Commons, LSRC
  • 1100, Grainger Hall
  • 1101, Grainger Hall
  • 1111, Grainger Hall
  • 2107, Grainger Hall
  • Art Gallery, Grainger Hall
  • Reading Room, Grainger Hall

• New students are cordially invited to lunch on the first floor of Grainger Hall. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them. View the lunch menu on Monday.

• Appointments preferred. Sign up here. If you need assistance with immunizations, please attend one of the Immunization Events this week. See other times below. [Map-Penn Pavilion]

• Transition to afternoon sessions. After lunch, students will attend their Concentration sessions.
• All students are expected to attend their Concentration Group Advising meetings.
• Discussions will center on general course planning, program happenings, and degree requirements. Students can move between sessions if they wish.
  Should your group academic advising session end early, feel free to hang out in the Reading Room, second floor, Grainger Hall, which will be outfitted with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games.

Returning students will join and assist in sessions where possible.

• Coastal and Marine Systems, CaMS (2107, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by Professors Patrick Halpin and Grant Murray; and Kathleen Dunn
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health, EEH (1111, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by Professor Lee Ferguson
• Energy and Environment, EE (Field Auditorium, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by Professors Tim Johnson and Luana Lima
• Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments, TFE (A247, Second Floor, LSRC)
  • Facilitated by Professors Jim Heffernan (TBD) and Peter Cada
    
    

• Take a quick break. Then, go directly to your Management Concentration Session.

• Business and Environment, BE (Art Gallery, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by: Professor Jesko von Windheim; Executive in Residence Holly Emerson and Shannon Parker
• Community Engagement and Environmental Justice, CEEJ (A247, Second Floor, LSRC)
  • Facilitated by Professor Liz Shapiro-Garza
• Environmental Analytics and Modeling, EAM (Field Auditorium, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by Professor Luana Lima
• Environmental Economics and Policy, EEP (2107, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Facilitated by Professors Betsy Albright and Kim Marion Suiseeya

• Coastal and Marine Systems Small Group Advising Meetings (2107, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • CaMS faculty and staff will conduct small group advising meetings with new students. Primary and secondary CaMS students must sign up for an advising meeting on Monday or Tuesday afternoon.
  • Facilitators: Grant Murray, Pat Halpin, and Kathleen Dunn
• Master of Forestry Group Academic Advising (1111, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Group academic advising for students enrolling in the Master of Forestry degree program (MF only and dual MEM/MF students). Professors Ram Oren and Bin Mei.
    • Time: 3:45 – 4:45 PM
      
      

• The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in interviews.
• Walking Tours/Reservoir Walk:🌱3:30 – 5:00 PM. The Orientation Champions will gather in the Orchard following the end of Concentration Sessions before heading out on campus tours or a relaxing walk to the Reservoir. Meet in the Orchard, First Floor, Grainger Hall.
• HR Office Hours:📌3:30 PM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.
• Course Registration Office Hours: 3:45 – 4:30 PM. Stop by during this time to get your registration-related questions answered. No formal presentation. Location: A148, First Floor, LSRC. Facilitated by Erika Lovelace-Young and Eric Mears.
• Connect, Chat, or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.
  
  

• We encourage all new students to wear (or bring) their Nic School T-Shirt on Tuesday for the Class Picture at 10:10 AM.

• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in interviews.
• Immunization Event: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Location: Penn Pavilion, West Campus. Open to all students. Appointments preferred. Sign up here. If you need assistance with immunizations, please attend one of the Immunization Events this week. See other times below. [Map-Penn Pavilion]
• HR Office Hours:📌10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.

• Grab a light breakfast before the first morning session. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them. View the breakfast menu on Tuesday.

• 9:30 – 9:55 AM: Dean’s Welcome: Lori Snyder Bennear, Stanback Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment, will deliver welcoming remarks to MEM, MF, and DEL-MEM students.
• 9:55 – 10:10 AM: Professional Programs Senior Leadership Introductions: Professors Tim Johnson and Grant Murray and Sherri Nevius, Student Services

• Students will gather in the LSRC Courtyard for a group photo. The LSRC Courtyard is located just outside of Love Auditorium and Hug Commons (i.e., near the Check-in area).

• Tier Two registration begins on Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM (ET). We will use this time to help new students to prepare for the last half of the registration period, which begins on August 19 and concludes on September 4 when Drop/Add ends.

• Do you want a great job after graduation? Do you want to learn how to prepare? The Nicholas School’s Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is here to partner with you to make your professional goals a reality! In this interactive presentation, we will offer tools and steps to make consistent investments in career development while in graduate school. We encourage you to take advantage of the many career-related resources Duke has to offer.
• Career Team: Allison Besch, Dean Hawkins, and Bailee Starnes

• New students are cordially invited to lunch on the first floor of Grainger Hall. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them. View the lunch menu on Tuesday.

• All new students must attend the Honor Code Orientation.
• Presenter: Professor Grant Murray
• After the Honor Code Orientation, all students must submit the Honor Code Statement by Friday, August 21. Do not submit the Honor Code Statement prior to the Honor Code Orientation. Early submissions will not be accepted. Blocks will be placed in DukeHub for students who do not submit the Honor Code Statement prior to the start of classes on Monday, August 24.

• Associate Dean Sherri Nevius will share important resources and guidance for new students.

• We will provide an overview of the Course-Based Pathways and Master’s Project options.
• Presenters: Abbey Sheehy and Grant Murray

• After 2:15 PM, students can use the afternoon (2:15-5:00 PM) to engage in activities that are of interest to them. The remainder of the day is optional except for advising sessions for Coastal and Marine System students. Students are encouraged to participate in one of the scheduled sessions below, meet with their advisor, participate in assistantship interviews (if applicable) – or use this free time to go home, unwind, and unpack.
• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
• HR Office Hours:📌2:15 PM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.
• Connect, Chat, or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.

• Professors Pat Halpin and Peter Cada will give an overview of geospatial analysis courses and certificate requirements.
• Permission Numbers: Immediately following this presentation, permission numbers for ENVIRON 559 will be distributed in Hug Commons, First Floor, LSRC, until 3:10 PM. If you are unable to stop by during this time, email the instructors Professors Pat Halpin and Peter Cada directly and be sure to include the lab section that you want to enroll in. Permission numbers are tied to the lab sections.

• This is a chance for new students to meet their career coach in person and ask any career related questions they might have. No appointment needed. We hope to see you there!
• Career Team: Allison Besch, Dean Hawkins, and Bailee Starnes

• All students, regardless of their Concentrations, have an opportunity to study at the Duke Marine Lab (Beaufort, NC). Stop by during this time to learn about this opportunity.
• Facilitators: Grant Murray and Kathleen Dunn

• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
• HR Office Hours:📌3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.
• Course Registration Office Hours: 3:15 – 4:15 PM. Stop by during this time to get your registration-related questions answered. No formal presentation. Location: A148, First Floor, LSRC. Facilitated by Erika Lovelace-Young and Eric Mears.
• Connect, Chat, or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.

• Coastal and Marine Systems Small Group Advising Meetings
  • CaMS faculty and staff will conduct small group advising meetings with new students. Primary and secondary CaMS students must sign up for an advising meeting on Monday or Tuesday afternoon.
  • Facilitators: Grant Murray, Pat Halpin, and Kathleen Dunn

• Tier Two Course Registration Begins: 📌At 7:00 AM, all students (new and returning) can enroll in up to 16.5 credits in DukeHub. Course registration and advising resources are available in Duke Box.

• Keep in Mind: Before coming to campus, please eat breakfast. Breakfast/coffee service will not be provided on Wednesday morning.
• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
• Connect, Chat or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.
• Immunization Event: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Location: Penn Pavilion, West Campus. Open to all students. Appointments preferred. Sign up here. If you need assistance with immunizations, please attend one of the Immunization Events this week. See other times below. [Map-Penn Pavilion]

• Learn about practical resources that will be helpful to you as a student.
• 10:00 – 10:20 AM: Library Services. Jenna Strawbridge
• 10:20 – 10:40 AM: Information Technology Resources. Sabrina Carr
• 10:40 – 11:15 AM: Lead the Way: Career Skills + Student Groups. Allison Besch and Bailee Starnes + Student Volunteers: Kyle Falk, Danielle Schwartz, Sarah Slay
• 11:15 AM: Take a Break!
  • Grab & Go Snacks available, first floor, Grainger Hall outside of Field Auditorium
• 11:25 – 11:45 AM: Sustainability (Duke and Durham). Dalia Patino-Echeverri and Jason Elliott
• 11:45 – 12:15 PM: Wellness at Duke. Victoria Krebs
• 12:15 – 12:25 PM: Tapping into the NSOE Alumni Network. Katie O’Grady Hnilo and Christy Thompson

• New students are cordially invited to lunch on the first floor of Grainger Hall. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them. View the lunch menu on Wednesday.

• At Duke, you will have an opportunity to engage in several areas of interdisciplinary exploration. Now is your opportunity to begin exploring some of these opportunities.
• The following sessions are occurring concurrently. View the format of the Interdisciplinary Sessions. Although there is a specific format, students are allowed to come and go as they please. If you miss a session you wanted to attend, contact the presenter directly at the link provided below.
  • Bass Connections Projects📑: Meghan O’Neil (A247, Second Floor, LSRC)
  • Duke Design Climate📑: Judy Ledlee (2107, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Environmental Law and Policy Clinic📑: Ryke Longest and Nancy Lauer (1111, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Fuqua School of Business, Dual Degree & EDGE Center📑: Katie Kross (Field Auditorium, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Information Science and Engineering for the Public Sector (ISEPS) Certificate📑: Nathan Bossa (A156, First Floor, LSRC)
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate📑: Abby Grubbs (1105, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability📑: Bryan Koen and Colleen Nieto (A155, First Floor, LSRC)
  • Stanback Fellowship Program📑: Dean Hawkins (Love Auditorium, B101, First Floor, LSRC)

• After 1:30 PM, students can use the afternoon (1:30-5:00 PM) to engage in activities that are of interest to them. The remainder of the day is optional. Students are encouraged to participate in one of the scheduled sessions below, meet with their advisor, participate in assistantship interviews (if applicable) – or use this free time to go home, unwind, and unpack.
• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
• Connect, Chat or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.
• HR Office Hours:📌1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.

• The following departments will be available in Hug Commons, First Floor Lobby, A Wing, LSRC. Students are invited to stop by to speak with representatives and learn how you can engage.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)📑: Antonia Pendleton and Tai Strachan-Louidor
  • Communications Studio📑: Kerry Ossi-Lupo
  • Duke Forest & Park Institute of America📑: Tim Barco, Erin Hecht and Sofía Velazquez
  • Office of Development and Alumni Affairs📑: Katie O’Grady Hnilo and Christy Thompson
  • Duke Arts and Duke Arts Creates 📑: Jules Odendahl-James and Anna Wallace
  • Innovation Co-Lab 📑: Rebecca Johnson
  • Duke Recreation 📑: Natalie Jones
  • Duke Gardens 📑: Kati Henderson
  • Duke Campus Farm 📑: Gaby Dunn
  • Office of Climate and Sustainability 📑: Jason Elliott
  • Duke RESTORE 📑: Jennifer Hurtgen

• Team members from the Duke Campus Farm will join us for a presentation and activity as part Orientation. Meet the team.
• If you plan to attend this activity, please RSVP here.

• Cool off with locopops in the Orchard.

• Keep in Mind: Before coming to campus, please eat breakfast. Breakfast/coffee service will not be provided on Thursday morning.
• Choose Your Adventure: Concurrent Sessions and Activities. See details below.
• Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
• Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in interviews.
• Connect, Chat, or Relax:🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. We have outfitted the room with coffee/tea, meditation pillows, and games. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to Connect, Chat, or Relax.
• Immunization Event: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Location: Penn Pavilion, West Campus. Open to all students. Appointments preferred. Sign up here. If you need assistance with immunizations, please attend one of the Immunization Events this week. See other times below. [Map-Penn Pavilion]
• HR Office Hours:📌10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5^th Floor, Grainger Hall. Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office at least once this week to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Students needing to get on payroll for assistantships should review the List of Acceptable Documents for ID Verification. Access the Bio Data Form. Questions? Contact Beatriz Martin or Cameron Vincent.

• 9:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Duke Gardens (West Campus)
  • Join the Duke Gardens Staff and the Orientation Champions for a walking tour of the Duke Gardens. Interested students should meet at the NSOE Orchard Grainger Hall by 9:10 AM. Then, we will walk to the Duke Gardens as a group. We will likely leave Grainger Hall around 9:20 AM. The tour will begin at 9:30 AM at the Presidents Bridge Gate (the one on Flowers Drive near the Undergraduate Admissions building, near the large grass South Lawn, google maps pin here). All gates are named the Duke Garden Map.
  • Led by Duke Gardens Staff, hosted by the Orientation Champions
    
• 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Library Tour (Meet at the walkway between Bostock and Perkins Libraries, West Campus)
  • Register in advance if you plan to attend.
  • Take a tour of Bostock and Perkins Libraries, West Campus. Learn about the suite of library resources you’ll have access to while at Duke.
  • Tour Facilitators: Jenna Strawbridge and Jodi Psoter
    
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Lemur Center Tour for Community Builder Volunteers (Durham, NC)
  • Hosted by the Nicholas School Student Council. More details will be provided at a later date.
    
• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Master of Forestry Info Session (1111, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Interested in learning about the Master of Forestry degree at the Nicholas School? If so, now is your chance.
  • This session will be led by Professors Ram Oren and Bin Mei
    
• Meeting Time TBD: Master of Business Administration Interest Meeting (Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Fuqua School of Business, West Campus)
  • RSVP in Advance.
  • Are you considering the MEM/MBA or MF/MBA dual degree? Duke’s Fuqua School of Business is one of the world’s best business schools, preparing students to excel in global leadership careers. Read session overview to learn more information.
  • Facilitator: Lauren Sutherland, Fuqua Admissions
    

• Grab lunch on campus. Students will receive a Duke Dining Card at check-in on Monday. Duke dining cards are accepted at the Brodhead Center and other on-campus eateries. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.

• NSOE is excited to invite students to this start-of-the-year event as a chance to connect with your peers and welcome the new semester together. Before the Mixer, there will be a presentation and icebreaker activity that gives an overview of important topics and resources, advice on how to acclimate to campus life and culture, and much more. All students are welcome to attend. You do not need to be an international student. However, this event is highly recommended for international students.
  Facilitators: Kevin D’Arco and the Orientation Champions

• The Orientation Champions have organized tours of the Duke Research Greenhouse for anyone interested in attending. Each tour lasts approximately one hour: Two Options:
  9:00 AM –10:00 AM OR 10:00 AM –11:00 AM.
• If you plan to participate, please meet in the parking lot between the French Science Center and Gross Hall a few minutes before your selected tour begins.