Dear SPH staff,
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, 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 am initiating 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 look forward to hearing from each of you 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 some initial strategic investments in our school for the weeks and months ahead. I hope that the listening sessions will also be an opportunity for you all to share ideas and input on investments particular to our staff.
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,
