Kennedy Robinson

2025

Elgin, SC

Academic Interests

Currently interested in Civil/Environmental Engineering with a focus on the Architectural Engineering or Global Development Certificate

Fun Fact

I love pet animals but have never had one myself.

From kindergarten through middle school, my Dad took the same route to get me (and eventually my little brother) to school every single morning. That route seemed to always have a new construction project along it, and I loved being able to see the progress of a new building or type of infrastructure over the years. Unfortunately, I eventually learned of the detrimental impact that these types of projects could have on the environment. Both the construction process and the existence of the new buildings themselves are responsible for a massive amount of the world’s carbon emissions. I am interested in how we can make our society more environmentally friendly by focusing on the design of our infrastructure. By developing lasting infrastructure that is geared towards a greener world, we can take a big step towards a more sustainable society.

Outside of class, I love listening to music (anything except country), trying new foods (I’ll try anything once), and lifting weights (you will never see me voluntarily doing cardio). I also love to spend time at local farmer’s markets with my friends and family to support the local businesses in my area. At Duke, I’m involved with Duke Engineers for International Development (DEID) which is an organization that partners with under-served communities around the world to create cost-efficient and sustainable projects that will significantly improve the standard of living. I would also like to get involved with the community of Durham through a mentorship program to connect with young students through a love of STEM. I want to eradicate the stereotype that the field of STEM is only for certain types of people, and I believe that being exposed to those fields from a young age will help foster a growing love for STEM in groups that are currently underrepresented.

What do you like about being a SPIRE Fellow?

I absolutely love the community that Duke has provided me both in the classroom and outside of it. The faculty are amazing and genuinely want to help you achieve the goals that you set for yourself, no matter how big or small. The abundance of resources and support provided to you is unmatched, and I truly do not think you could find them anywhere else.

Kennedy Robinson
Kennedy Robinson