From the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

 

Dear Colleagues,

I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with many of you over the past few weeks related to the dissemination of the Dean’s Education Task Force (the Task Force) recommendations and our implementation plans. I want to thank those of you who have participated in those initial discussions and those that have already reached out with offers to collaborate further and support additional engagement opportunities. As promised, I am writing today to share more details on how we will engage our community in implementing these important recommendations.

As a reminder, based on the recommendations of the Task Force, our priorities for the remainder of the Fall 2026 semester are to: (1) revise the MPH core from 16 to 14 units, including restructuring PH718 Leadership and Management in Public Health as a 2-unit course; (2) transition from ‘certificates’ to a smaller, more manageable set of ‘concentrations’; and (3) expand engagement with BU undergraduates on the Charles River Campus to increase awareness of the MPH.

I want this process to be collaborative and welcoming to your ideas, questions, and feedback. Thus, numerous engagement opportunities will be offered and will include:

  • Community survey: Please use this open-ended, anonymous survey to provide input on potential concentrations and focus areas. You may access the survey here: https://bostonu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bslfcRydjeYNN8W
  • October School Assembly: A brief education update will be followed by a Q&A session that will provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to ask questions and offer feedback on any of the activities being implemented this Fall.
  • Departmental discussions: Chairs/Associate Chairs will facilitate conversations within departments and help develop recommendations for the above. This may happen during department meetings, informal dialogue among faculty members, staff, and students, and where appropriate, inter-departmental discussions. For example, if an idea for a concentration may intersect departments, you should find time with the other department faculty for discussion at your discretion.
  • Academic Affairs office hours: I will host Zoom sessions on 10/19 and 11/4 from 1–2 p.m. I will provide brief updates on the process and reserve most of the time for discussion. All are welcome to attend. RSVP at this link to receive the Zoom information.
  • Education Retreat: Thursday, 11/12, 1–4 p.m., INS-4th Floor. Agenda to follow. At a minimum, agenda topics will include discussion about concentrations and focus areas, as well as the courses required of them. You may RSVP at this link.

“The ask” and the timeline: I hope to receive all community-wide feedback and departmental recommendations on the above (from Department Chairs) by Monday, 11/30. This will be followed by Dean’s Cabinet review and discussion. The Education Committee will then review at a December meeting, and a planned University submission in late January/early February.

Concurrently, Dr. Megan Healey will lead work on the MPH core. She will engage a select group of core instructors who will serve as liaisons to the other core instructors for each course.

Finally, those interested in BU undergraduate engagement should also contact me; opportunities will be coordinated with our Admissions teams as needs arise.

Please know that I am excited to hear any/all ideas about how we can better tell the world about our great educational programs. Thanks in advance for your partnership and I look forward to seeing where this process brings us.

Best,

Chris Louis

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

 

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