Our Mission and Culture
Our Mission
The University of Michigan School of Public Health is pursuing a healthier world with compassion, innovation and inclusion to create meaningful, lasting impact.
- We believe in compassion. Our work is born from compassion, leading to knowledge, research, and action.
- We believe in innovation. We've seen a better future, it's why we are driven to help. Through creative problem-solving and innovative thinking we lay the groundwork for a healthier world.
- We believe in inclusion. We work with diverse talents across campus and across the world to bring more than ideas; we partner to create lasting solutions.
- We pursue impact. The ultimate goal of our work is to create positive change and have a lasting effect on the health of the world.
Our Guiding Principles
The University of Michigan School of Public Health is committed to:
- Improved health for populations and individuals worldwide;
- Health equity for all people;
- Diversity and inclusion in education, research and service;
- Ethical principles of teaching, learning, research and practice;
- Excellence and innovation;
- Equitable partnerships with individuals, communities, and practitioners.
Our Culture
To sustain our leadership and bring out the best in one another, we seek to promote a healthy social and emotional work and learning culture -- a culture of connection. We value all members of our community, and we know that a civil and considerate environment is integral to the health and well-being of faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
We aspire to treat each other well, by practicing and promoting the following attitudes and behaviors:
- Choose kindness. Always treat each other with consideration and respect, whether in person, on the phone, over email, on social media, or any other communication stream. Remember that your tone matters as much as what you say.
- Think the best. Assume we are all trying to do the right thing. Put yourself in the other person's shoes, even in difficult situations. Be flexible and patient with others.
- Act in a supportive way. Encourage each other. Acknowledge each other's contributions, and lend a hand when others need help. Be inclusive, welcoming, and appreciative of differences.
- Practice forgiveness. Even with our best efforts, humans are fallible and error-prone. When someone offends or hurts you, do your best to choose a forgiving attitude. If you offend or hurt someone else, apologize and work to make things right.
This statement is adapted from the University of Michigan "Statement on Civility."