Shared leadership team: the creation, journey, lessons learned

TL;DR

Drexel University's public health school created a Shared Leadership Team to promote diversity and inclusion, sharing their journey and lessons learned.

Contribution

The paper introduces a collaborative leadership model to advance DEIB efforts in academic public health.

Findings

The Shared Leadership Team successfully guided DEIB initiatives across students, faculty, and staff.

Challenges included maintaining momentum amid institutional and political changes.

Initiatives like the IDEA Fellows program and climate survey fostered inclusivity.

Abstract

Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health (DSPH) upholds its founding belief that health is a human right. In pursuit of this commitment, DSPH has made addressing racism and discrimination a core public health priority through intentional diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts for all. To challenge traditional hierarchical structures that have excluded the voices and decisions of many, the school established a Shared Leadership Team (SLT) in 2023, comprised of students, faculty, and staff across units to guide and implement DEIB initiatives collaboratively. This article documents the SLT’s development and the founding of the Office of DEIB, highlighting successes, challenges, and strategies to maintain momentum amid institutional change and national political changes. Featured initiatives include a school-wide climate survey, shared DEIB definitions, and the growth of the IDEA Fellows program. We reflect lessons learned through a series of vignettes, demonstrating engagement during low-morale periods, and the value of shared power in creating a more inclusive, equitable culture within academic public health.