This story was originally published by the Kogod School of Business.
On September 6, Nicole Darnall was formally installed as the Arlene R. and Robert P. Kogod Eminent Scholar Chair in Sustainability, a role sitting within both the Kogod School of Business and the School of Public Affairs (SPA). This appointment underscores American University’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and notably is AU’s first-ever joint endowed chair. This prestigious position was created through the support of Bob and Arlene Kogod, whose vision and contributions continue to shape AU's future.
The Kogod School of Business’s mission is to build a more sustainable world through business, and the school continues to invest heavily in sustainable operations, industry-leading faculty hires, and robust curricular offerings. Kogod’s longstanding commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by its Sustainability Advisory Council of cross-industry experts, its first-place Page Prize honor for best sustainability curriculum, and the continued growth of its flagship MS in Sustainability Management program, within which Darnall will teach.
The School of Public Affairs, through its Center for Environmental Policy (CEP), focuses efforts on governance and management in energy, sustainability, and climate policy. Darnall’s work in sustainable procurement, both at the organizational and individual levels, and her focus on sustainability governance, innovative technology, and policies that enhance environmental, climate, energy, and sustainability practices, will bolster CEP’s efforts to advance research in energy, sustainability, and climate policy.
“I’m particularly happy that, Nicole, you brought together folks from across the university to highlight how interdisciplinary sustainability studies are for students and scholarship,” said Kogod School of Business’s Dean, David Marchick.
Her appointment marks a significant step in AU’s journey to advancing sustainability education, which began with the signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2008.
“When I first started teaching at AU 20 years ago, I taught a class called Social Welfare Policy. We discussed which sector should be responsible for anti-poverty programs. We never really touched on the private sector,” began School of Public Affairs Dean Alison Jacknowitz. “I’m proud to say that this discussion would be very different today. ...This joint appointment between SPA and Kogod reflect our gains in public affairs education and the recognition that all sectors need to contribute to solving the wicked problems of today.”
During the September 6 installation ceremony, Darnall shared a formative story from her childhood on a small farm in southern New Mexico, where she learned some of her earliest lessons about sustainability.
My allowance came from selling chicken eggs. To increase production, I tried various methods, from building hen-roosts to crafting makeshift incubators. Despite my efforts, my chickens didn't lay more eggs. Instead, I learned valuable lessons that still guide my research today.
She went on to explain four key lessons from that experience:
- Respect nature's boundaries: Sustainable practices must align with natural limits.
- A long-term strategy is essential: The most impactful solutions require patience and foresight.
- Technology can't replace human ingenuity: While important, technology is just one tool in sustainability.
- Consumers value sustainability: People are willing to pay more for sustainably produced products.
“These lessons continue to shape my approach to sustainability,” Darnall said, emphasizing how her early experiences have influenced her professional journey.
Darnall’s research is widely recognized in top peer-reviewed management and public administration journals. Her work focuses on how organizations and individuals can be incentivized to adopt sustainable practices. At AU, she will split her time between the Kogod School of Business and the School of Public Affairs (SPA), contributing to both schools’ sustainability initiatives.
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for sustainability education. The World Economic Forum recently reported that sustainability jobs are expanding at twice the rate of the available workforce, with a notable demand for skills in assessment and project management. Effective sustainability strategies require the ability to monitor and measure success and alignment within organizational structures, including recruitment, training, and internal incentives. These are among the key areas Darnall plans to address through her courses at AU.
As I look across AU and this amazing opportunity that is ahead of me, I see so much strength in the connectivity across the university that touches each space and extends them as well to build a fabric to understand the complexity around sustainability.
"As I settle into my new role I am eager to connect and invite conversation and debate. I’m eager to learn new ways to address the unprecedented sustainability challenges ahead of us,” remarked Professor and Eminent Scholar Chair in Sustainability Nicole Darnall during her inaugural lecture.
Read more about Nicole Darnall’s appointment and AU’s sustainability initiatives.
