Hedy Alavi was selected by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists to receive the 2026 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science Education Award. The award is granted to an educator who has made a significant contribution to the profession in the area of educating practitioners.
Alavi serves as the associate dean for Global Partnerships at the Whiting School of Engineering where he has established numerous academic collaborations with prominent institutions worldwide. He is also a teaching professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, jointly at the Whiting School of Engineering and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has received the Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award, presented “In recognition of extraordinary dedication to the University’s teaching mission, exceptional performance in the classroom, and a continuing commitment to tomorrow’s leaders.” He also earned an Excellence in Teaching Award from Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals and a Merit Award from the Maryland Department of the Environment.
For Engineering for Professionals, Alavi has developed and implemented several graduate degrees, certificates, and post-master’s certificate programs and has mentored hundreds of students. He is the chair for the following programs: Climate, Energy, and Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Science, and Environmental Planning and Management. He teaches or has taught Principles of Environmental Engineering – 575.604, Environmental Project Management – 575.747, Environmental Impact Assessment – 575.637, Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management – 575.742, Solid Waste Engineering & Management – 575.620.
The award was presented at the 2026 Academy Convocation and Celebration of Excellence on Thursday, April 16, in Arlington, Virginia.