Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Planning

Incorporate DEI frameworks and content into SPH Curriculum

The School of Public Health understands the vital importance of our graduates’ ability to positively contribute to health equity efforts. As such we aim to integrate DEI into our curriculum via frameworks such as equity-focused teaching, accessible design and instruction, anti-racist pedagogy and others that help students think deeply about identity, systemic inequity, and health. These equity-focused approaches will help positively impact our students’ and instructors’ experiences in the classroom as well as help prepare our students to better recognize and meet the public health challenges of today and in the future.

Cultivate a Culture of Belonging & Community Care

The School of Public Health seeks to cultivate a working and learning community based on connection, collaboration, and care. We see these three values and practices as essential to creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all of the community members in the School. Belonging is critical to DEI work as a fundamental human need that, when experienced authentically and deeply, can positively impact our working, teaching, and learning efforts. Connection, collaboration, and care not only support belonging but are also fundamental to the field of Public Health, so centering them creates synergy with the broader field and strengthens our training of the next generation of Public Health professionals.

Establish Equity Driven Talent Acquisition Processes

This strategic objective focuses on sharpening our recruitment, hiring, and admissions processes to integrate and center equity-focused practices. These practices will be designed to increase transparency, set all candidates up for success, better prepare search partners, and strengthen the School’s hiring and selection processes and outcomes.

Develop effective retention strategies for SPH faculty, staff, and students

Retaining the talent, experience, and expertise of community members complements the important work of recruiting and hiring in cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community at SPH. This strategic objective focuses the School’s efforts to understand, anticipate, and meet the needs of our existing faculty, staff, and students so that they find meaningful pathways to professional advancement and personal growth at the School.

Expand pathways for, among others, historically underrepresented students into SPH and the field of Public Health

Cultivating a diverse student body ensures the opportunity for students to bring their unique lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives to the field of Public Health. Students’ diverse life experiences and viewpoints can enrich classroom discussions, research, and policy development, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions that address the needs of all communities. By expanding pathways for underrepresented students, among others, the School of Public Health will play a role in cultivating a generation of diverse, inclusive, culturally aware and responsive leaders who can drive positive change in Public Health and can better respond to the complex and evolving health needs of diverse communities.

Strengthen Trust through Transparency & Collaboration

By being transparent about our actions, decisions, and intentions, we aim to create an environment based on openness, accountability, and inclusivity. We also seek to increase collaborative efforts within the SPH community. Collaboration allows for co-creation of solutions that consider diverse viewpoints and expertise and, as a result, can lead to greater investment and integration by the larger School community. By contributing to the design and implementation of DEI efforts at SPH, community members can share a sense of ownership and pride in the outcomes.

Strengthen DEI Learning & Practice Across SPH

Through this strategic objective, the School aims to support the professional growth and development of its faculty, staff, fellows, and students with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. DEI professional development and learning helps to ensure that SPH community members have the necessary skills, knowledge, expectations, and capacities to center equity, inclusion, and belonging in their daily practice in the School. Our approach to DEI learning highlights it as a central part of professional growth and as relevant to all members of the community regardless of position, tenure, or portfolio.

Partner with SPH Chief Development Officer to identify fundraising opportunities for DEI priorities around student support and faculty development.

This strategic objective aims to more fully integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the School’s Development portfolio. This integration may include fundraising to support student internships, scholarships, and research opportunities. It may also include efforts to promote and support faculty recruitment, hiring, retention, research, and teaching.