The Revitalization initiative continues to advance as the design team develops organizational models to improve communication, collaboration and role clarity across Academic Affairs. A vetting team and subject matter experts will begin meeting later this month to review potential models.

The goal is to create a structure that supports the educational mission aligned with the SMPH strategic plan.

The design team includes Dave Bernhard (Student Services), Amy Stickford Becker (Medical Education Office), Kimberly Sprecker (Continuing Education), Bobbie Coons (Student Services), Erin Myszkowski (MD Admissions), Christopher Hooper-Lane (Ebling Library), and Sweta Shrestha (Master of Public Health). Mark Kueppers and Beth Silver serve as ex officio members. Steve Bialek and John Graves provide consulting support.

Staff engagement findings highlighted five areas that need attention:

• Organizational fragmentation
• Communication gaps
• Resource pressures
• Inconsistent learner experiences
• Opportunities for greater collaboration

Where the work stands

Since summer, the design team has reviewed AA mission and priorities, analyzed current structures and benchmarked comparable models, and examined major functions across five academic programs. The team has used that work to identify patterns, clarify areas of overlap, and explore opportunities for stronger alignment.

What the team is considering

As the team develops organizational options, it continues to weigh considerations, including:

• how to balance program-specific needs with shared academic functions;
• how to preserve responsibility for curriculum, accreditation, assessment and evaluation within individual programs;
• where admissions and student services could benefit from greater coordination;
• how to organize shared functions around the way work actually happens; and,
• how to clarify roles, decision-making authority, reporting relationships and employee support.

What comes next

In late September, the vetting team and subject matter experts will begin reviewing organizational options. The Education Leadership Team will also evaluate those options against the redesign criteria and consider what implementation would require. Their feedback will help refine the recommendations before the project moves into its next phase.