Class of 2026: Nichole Dorn honored as outstanding master's student for College of Engineering

Name: Nichole Dorn

College: College of Engineering

Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Hometown: Audubon, Pennsylvania

Favorite Hokie memory: My favorite Hokie memory took place in Provo, Utah, at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sustainable Solutions National Championship Competition hosted by Brigham Young University. While we were there to compete, it was the downtime with the team that became some of my favorite moments. From mini golfing and hiking the “Y” trail to trying the popular Swig drinks, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends to share the trip with. Finishing with a second-place award was simply the cherry on top of an unforgettable experience.

Finding her Hokie home

For Nichole Dorn, a campus tour changed everything. What began as a brief visit turned into a transformative journey at Virginia Tech, shaping her academic career, friendships, and professional path.

Dorn received the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Master’s Student Award for her achievements in the sustainable land development program in the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The award recognizes exceptional graduate students for academic excellence, research contributions, and leadership.

Originally committed to attend a college in Philadelphia, Dorn decided to tour additional campuses before making a final decision. “The moment I stepped onto Virginia Tech’s campus, everything changed,” she said. “Maybe it was the beautiful fall day or the reputation of the College of Engineering, but I immediately felt this was where I was meant to be.”

Adjusting to life as an out-of-state student during the pandemic was not always easy. “There were moments when I questioned my decision,” she said. “But it wasn’t long before I met my best friends and Blacksburg became home.”

From player to mentor

One of Dorn’s most memorable experiences came through the ASCE sustainable solutions competition. As an undergraduate, she served as team captain in Virginia Tech’s first year competing nationally.

The following year, Dorn returned as the graduate advisor for the competition team. As the only returning member, she guided new students while they built on the previous year’s foundation, ultimately earning fifth place nationally. “It was rewarding to help get the team started on the right path while watching them grow,” she said.

Unexpected graduate journey

Graduate school was not part of Dorn’s original plan. With a full-time job lined up and graduation approaching, she initially laughed off a professor’s suggestion to pursue a master’s degree. But after discussions with family, friends, and professionals who had completed the program, she realized the opportunity was too valuable to pass up.

“Knowing the professors I would be working with in the sustainable land development program, I quickly realized I wanted the chance to continue learning and growing from them for another year,” Dorn said.

She also wanted a chance to dive deeper into research. Her thesis, “Envision’s Influence on Engineering Design,” examined how engineers and sustainability leaders use the Envision framework — a sustainability framework that applies to a wide range of infrastructure projects.

The research grew from her experience in the ASCE competition and involved interviews with industry professionals, revealing how Envision encourages more sustainable design while highlighting challenges like limited policy support.

“This research gave me the unique opportunity to connect my academic studies with real industry perspectives and to speak with leaders about their current interests and goals for the Envision framework,” she said. “It ultimately deepened my understanding of how engineers can help create infrastructure that is not only functional but also environmentally, economically, and socially responsible.”

For Dorn, sustainable land development is not just a field of study. It is a philosophy for shaping resilient communities. “It encourages engineers to think beyond minimum requirements and consider the long-term impact of projects,” she said.

Claire White, associate professor of practice in civil and environmental engineering, has worked with Dorn throughout her time at Virginia Tech. “Nichole has distinguished herself as one of the most accomplished students I have had the privilege to work with,” she said. “She pairs a perfect academic record with initiative, leadership, and impactful research to the civil engineering profession. She truly exemplifies the very best of civil engineering.”

After graduation, Dorn will join Kimley-Horn as a civil engineering analyst in the company’s Washington, D.C., office. Receiving the Outstanding Master’s Student Award, she said, represents both personal and professional validation. “This award reminds me how much I value the friendships and mentorship I found at Virginia Tech,” she said. “I owe so much to the sustainable land development program, and I look forward to staying involved for years to come.”