Dear SPH faculty,
I hope this note finds you all well as we move toward the middle of the semester. Over the past three weeks, through conversations with the school’s leadership and with many of you, I have come to recognize that while our current efforts to plan for the future are of vital importance, there are units and individuals within the school that are feeling strain, frustration, burnout, and are in need of support. Additionally, I recognize there is work to be done to ensure that our infrastructure is well suited to our operational realities. To understand the needs of the many units across the school, I have initiated a listening tour and have asked our Leadership Team and Executive Committee to reflect on ways to better connect with those they lead and to ensure that we are listening. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to hear from many of you, and I will continue this outreach with faculty and staff units in the weeks ahead.
I remain energized and optimistic about the future. Our significant achievements in research; student recruitment and enrollment; student progression and graduation; accreditation; student mentoring; and diversity, equity, and inclusion are a testament to your incredible efforts and commitment to our collective mission. Later this week, I will be announcing plans for strategic investment in our school for the weeks and months ahead, which have been informed by ideas and input you’ve shared at departmental meetings.
The SPH Strategic Planning Task Force has been hard at work creating draft priorities for the strategic plan. All faculty and staff who wish to participate will be invited to review and discuss the draft priorities within small groups and to share their feedback to be incorporated by the Task Force. I greatly welcome your participation and feedback as we work to develop a plan that reflects our school’s shared identity.
Warmly,
