Overview of Administrative Functions and Organizational Charts.

Governing Council

The Governing Council (GC) is the senior governance body for the School and has approval authority for school-wide policy setting and other strategic activities. It advises the Dean on senior administrative appointments. The GC is composed of:

  • The Dean of the School of Public Health, who is the School's chief administrative and academic officer. The Dean's responsibilities within the School are listed in the bylaws but centrally include overseeing strategy setting and execution, representing the School to its peers locally and globally, working with senior University leaders on matters pertaining to the School, supervising the planning-budgeting-evaluation cycle, supervising the School's administrative and academic officers, working closely with members of an external Dean's Advisory Board, and chairing the Governing Council.
  • The Senior Associate Dean for Finance, Administration and Business Operations, who is responsible for the School's major administrative, financial, and business operations. The Senior Associate Dean oversees Budget and Finance, Human Resources, Title IX, EOO, Facilities, Advancement, Business Development and Partnerships, as well as Marketing and Communications. This portfolio aligns the School's operational, advancement, and communications functions to support strategic planning, financial stewardship, resource management, external engagement, and organizational effectiveness. The Senior Associate Dean chairs the Administrative Council, which is responsible for implementing administrative policies throughout the School.
  • The Associate Dean for DEIJ & Wellness, who is responsible for advancing an institutional culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and well-being across the School. The Associate Dean oversees Graduate Student Life, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Committee, Living Our Values initiatives, and related Boston University wellness and community initiatives. The Associate Dean chairs the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee and co-chairs the Recruitment and Retention Committee.
  • The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who is responsible for the academic affairs of the School. The Associate Dean oversees Admissions, Online Programs, the Registrar's Office, all degree programs, and educational strategy development. The Associate Dean chairs the Education Committee responsible for educational policy and implementation across the School.
  • The Associate Dean for Policy & Practice, who is responsible for strengthening the School's connections to public health practice and policy. The Associate Dean oversees the Career & Practicum Office, the Activist Lab, and the Lifelong Programs Office, supporting experiential learning, workforce development, and external partnerships.
  • The Senior Associate Dean for Research, Faculty and Strategic Initiatives, who is responsible for advancing the School's research enterprise, faculty development, and strategic initiatives. The Senior Associate Dean oversees Faculty Advancement, Research Administration, all Think. Teach. Do. (TTD) Centers, Programs and Units, Postdoctoral Affairs, and the SPH Data Hub. The Senior Associate Dean manages faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion, development, research administration, strategic initiatives, and chairs the Research and Faculty Advancement Committee.

(The remaining Governing Council membership—including Department Chairs, Center Directors, Faculty Senate representatives, Staff Senate Chair, Student Senate representative, and the Dean's Office Director of Operations—remains unchanged.)

The Department Chairs, who are responsible for overseeing the education, research, and service activities of the department’s faculty and staff. Chairs are also responsible for strategic planning and managing the budget at the departmental level, as well as evaluating performance and supporting the professional development of faculty and staff.

Center Directors, who are responsible for overseeing the scholarship and activities of the faculty and staff associated with each school-wide center. They are also responsible for the planning, budgeting, and evaluation for their center.

The elected chair and a second designated representative of the Faculty Senate. The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to consider or recommend action, as appropriate, on all matters affecting the academic and professional concerns of the faculty of the school, including any matters as may be referred to it by the Dean or the Governing Council. The Faculty Senate has its own bylaws and governing structure.

The elected chair of the Staff Senate. The purpose of the Staff Senate is to consider or recommend action, as appropriate, on all matters of concern to the staff of the school, including any matters as may be referred to it by the Dean, Governing Council, or Administrative Council. The Staff Senate has its own bylaws and governing structure.

A student representative on behalf of the Student Senate. The goals of the Student Senate are to disseminate information, support student-initiated projects, and represent the concerns of public health students to the faculty, staff, and university community.

The Assistant Dean for Advancement, Business Development and Partnerships, reporting through the Senior Associate Dean for Finance, Administration and Business Operations, works closely with the University Development and Alumni Office and oversees the SPH Advancement, Business Development and Partnerships.

The Assistant Dean for Marketing and Communications, reporting through the Senior Associate Dean for Finance, Administration and Business Operations, manages the Communications Office and is responsible for communicating the work of the SPH community, both internally and externally.

The Dean’s Office Director of Operations, who is responsible for leading the Dean’s Office executive team, shepherding special projects for the Dean, and managing external relations and engagements for the Dean.

Administrative Offices

The School houses a number of administrative offices, each of which has at least one director responsible for aligning the activities of the office with the School's strategic priorities, maintaining a budget, and managing relevant staff members.

Administration and Finance

The Administration, Finance and Business Operations Division manages the School's budget, financial planning, human resources, facilities and space planning, Partnerships, Engagement and Advancement, and Marketing and Communications. The division supports the School's strategic priorities through integrated financial management, operational excellence, advancement activities, communications, and business operations.

Career & Practicum Office

The Career & Practicum Office, reporting through the Associate Dean of Policy & Practice, works closely with students and alumni to identify career paths, job opportunities, and practicum experiences throughout their educational program and after graduation. The Office also administers scholarship programs supporting practica and experiential learning. The Office is led by the Senior Director for Career and Practicum.

Advancement, Business Development and Partnerships

The Advancement, Business Development and Partnerships Office, reporting through the Senior Associate Dean of Finance, Administration and Business Operations, serves as the central point of contact for the School's donors, alumni, and domestic and international partners. The Office coordinates advancement activities, alumni engagement, philanthropic initiatives, and strategic partnerships supporting the School's mission.

Marketing and Communications

The Marketing and Communications Office, reporting through the Senior Associate Dean of Finance, Administration and Business Operations, advances the School's strategic communications, marketing, digital presence, media relations, branding, and storytelling. The Office manages the SPH website, internal communications, publications, media outreach, and supports faculty communications and public visibility.

Education/Academic Affairs Office

The Education/Academic Affairs Office, reporting through the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, works closely with faculty, department chairs, associate chairs, and program directors to ensure the School meets the educational needs of students. The Office oversees curriculum development, educational innovation, teaching support, program evaluation, and academic strategy.

Graduate Student Life

Graduate Student Life (GSL), reporting through the Associate Dean for DEIJ & Wellness, coordinates co-curricular programming, student organizations, mentorship, academic support services, accommodations, professional development, and initiatives that foster student well-being and community.

Research and Faculty Advancement

The Research and Faculty Advancement Division, reporting through the Senior Associate Dean of Research, Faculty and Strategic Initiatives, supports faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion, development, research administration, postdoctoral affairs, the SPH Data Hub, and the School's Think. Teach. Do. Centers, Programs, and Units.

Committees

As described in the SPH Bylaws (Section II), the School has seven standing committees that meet regularly to review matters pertinent to their areas of responsibility and report to the Governing Council: the Administrative Council; Appointments and Promotions Committee; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee; Education Committee; Research and Faculty Advancement Committee; and Practice Advisory Committee.

Standing Committees

The Governing Council is the senior governance body for the school and has approval authority for school-wide policy setting, and other strategic activities. The Governing Council is comprised of all associate deans, all department chairs, the elected chair and a second designated representative of the SPH Faculty Senate, the elected chair of the SPH Staff Senate, a designated representative on behalf of the SPH Student Senate, and other members of the SPH community at the Dean’s discretion.

The Administrative Council (AC) serves as the coordinating body for all administrative matters impacting the school, spanning broad functional areas ranging from human resources, to facilities, budget planning, business operations and more. The AC is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean of Finance, Administration and Business Operations and is comprised of senior administrative leaders supporting the School’s various administrative programs and services.

The Appointments and Promotions Committee is responsible for the review and approval of faculty appointments and promotions, as set forth in the SPH guidelines. The Dean appoints the chair of the Appointment and Promotions committee from the full professors at the School. All members shall be terminally promoted faculty members. At least one committee member is appointed on a modified track and at least one member is appointed on the unmodified track. Aspirationally, all academic tracks of the school would be represented on the committee by terminally promoted faculty. The Senior Associate Dean of Research, Faculty and Strategic Initiatives and a member of the School’s Faculty Resources Office serve as ex-officio members.

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee serves as the coordinating body for affairs regarding the systems and structures that support diversity, inclusion, and belonging at the School. The committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for DEIJ & Wellness and is comprised of one representative from each academic department and central administrative units and at least one student representative. The committee is charged with examining diversity and inclusion efforts within educational programs, student services, and alumni relations, and works to create advocacy and support in all of the School’s programs and services.

The Education Committee oversees all of the School’s educational programs. It reviews proposals for new educational programs and new courses, oversees the student and teaching evaluation process, and regularly reviews the curricula of each program. The Education Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and is comprised of one faculty representative from each academic unit and at least one student representative. Membership also includes the directors of the MPH, DrPH, undergraduate programs, and research masters and PhD programs, and the Registrar. Faculty representatives, who are not directors, are appointed by department chairs and serve a two-year term, renewable once.

The Practice Advisory Committee is the steering committee for practice initiatives, community relations and outreach, and student and staff service activities at the School. It is responsible for strengthening the School’s networks with public health agencies, establishing new affiliations with external organizations, engaging the School with the global public health practice community, and promoting practice activities within the School. The Practice Advisory Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean of Policy & Practice. In addition to the six department representatives, membership includes the Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Life, the Senior Director of the Career and Practicum Office, and at least one student representative.

The Research and Faculty Advancement Committee is responsible for building effective faculty development programs and makes recommendations regarding administrative policies to enhance scholarship. The committee is also responsible for the SPH mentoring program and evaluating proposals for research pilot awards. The Research and Faculty Advancement Committee is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean of Research, Faculty and Strategic Initiatives. In addition to the six department representatives, membership includes the Director of idea hub, at least one student representative, and an ex-officio member of the Faculty Resources Team.

Administrative and Operations Committees

The Directors Group (DG) is chaired by the Senior Associate Dean for Finance, Administration and Business Operations, and is comprised of administrative directors of the academic departments as well as central units at SPH. This group meets monthly to discuss matters directly impacting the day-to-day operations of the academic departments and central teams.

The DrPH Committee engages in creative thinking about the evolution of DrPH education at SPH, advises on student progress, including discussions on dissertation topics, and supports and advises on enrollment, marketing and admissions. The DrPH Committee is chaired by the DrPH Program Director and includes a representative from each of the six departments, the director of on-campus educational programs, and key staff from Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, Graduate Student Life, and the Career & Practicum Office. Faculty representatives are appointed by department chairs and serve a two-year term, renewable once.

The Research Masters and PhD Programs Committee oversees marketing, admissions, recruitment, retention, curriculum, and satisfactory student progress to ensure that programs meet compliance and quality standards. It is chaired by the Research Masters and PhD programs Director and includes one faculty representative from each academic department (typically the MS and PhD director), the director of on-campus educational programs, and key staff from the admissions and education offices. Any faculty representatives, who are not program directors, are appointed by department chairs and serve a two-year term, renewable once.

The Enrollment Committee sets the strategic direction for all SPH enrollment efforts with a focus on graduate education. It reviews the content, timing, and sequence of communications with applicants; oversees efforts to enhance student diversity; reviews the suite of marketing materials across all media channels; evaluates the substance and quality of prospective and accepted student days; reviews proposals for strategic partnerships; and advises the Senior Associate Dean of Finance, Administration and Business Operations, to set targets for upcoming admissions cycles. The committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and includes the Assistant Dean of Admissions, Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications, and key staff from the Admissions and Marketing and Communications Offices.

The On-campus MPH Committee oversees admissions, recruitment, retention, curriculum, and satisfactory student progress to ensure that on-campus MPH students meet compliance and quality standards. It is chaired by the On-campus MPH Program Director and includes the faculty certificate directors, the director of the dual degree programs, the director of undergraduate programs, the director of on-campus educational programs, as well as key staff from Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, Graduate Student Life, and the Career & Practicum Office.

The Online MPH Committee oversees admissions, recruitment, retention, curriculum, and satisfactory student progress to ensure that online MPH students meet compliance and quality standards. It is chaired by the Online MPH Program Director and includes the online MPH course instructors, the Online MPH staff, as well as key staff from Admissions and the Registrar’s Office.

The MPH Admissions Committee establishes criteria for admission, reviews and discusses applications to the School, and makes recommendations for admission to the Admissions Office. The committee is comprised of at least one full-time member from each department and chaired by the on-campus MPH program director.

The MS Admissions Committee establishes criteria for admission, reviews and discusses applications to the School, and makes recommendations for admission to the Admissions Office. The committee is comprised of at least one full-time member from each department and chaired by the Research masters and PhD programs director.

The MPH Practicum Committee ensures that the MPH practicum is a robust learning experience for students. The committee is chaired by the Senior Director of the Careers & Practicum and is comprised of at least one faculty representative from each academic department and staff from the Career and Practicum Office. The committee is responsible for reviewing and approving practicum proposals, conducting midpoint and final assessments of competencies, and reviewing and assessing student work products.

The Faculty Recruitment and Retention Committee is charged with recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty who support our institutional commitment to ensuring that BU is an institution where all constituents can thrive. The committee is co-chaired by the Associate Dean for DEIJ & Wellness, and the Senior Associate Dean of Research, Faculty and Strategic Initiatives. The members include one faculty representative from each academic department and an ex-officio member of the Faculty Resources Team. When conducting a search on behalf of a department, three additional ad-hoc representatives from the department conducting the search are added to the committee to ensure that the perspective of the department is well represented.

The Sponsored Programs Operating Committee (SPOC) addresses issues, shares ideas, and develops school-wide best practices for the management of sponsored research activities. The committee includes all grants managers at SPH and is chaired by the Assistant Director of Grants Administration and Financial Operations.

Committee Membership

Committee members are appointed by the Dean or their designee, in consultation with the department chairs and unit heads, following the structures defined in the school’s bylaws and committee charges. Membership for the Administrative Council is comprised of senior members of the staff. Membership on the remaining standing committees is comprised primarily of faculty as summarized below.

Each of the remaining committees includes one representative from each of the School’s six departments. It is the responsibility of the department chair to ensure that citizenship activities are equitably distributed among faculty within the department, balanced with service contributions, and commensurate with the salary coverage provided. Department chairs may wish to have members who serve on committees by virtue of an administrative appointment (e.g., a program director) also fill the “department representative” spot on a given committee. There cannot be more than two faculty members on any given committee from any given department.

Department and unit membership on each committee by department representatives is for a two-year term, renewable once (i.e., four consecutive years). Department representatives can rejoin committees after a one-year break. Staff and faculty who are members of a committee based on administrative responsibilities may remain on the committee as long as they hold those positions. Student membership on each committee is for a one-year term, renewable once (i.e., two consecutive years).

The chair of each committee monitors membership and terms to ensure the timely turnover of each committee, as well as ensures there is a suitable transition between committee members and onboarding of new members to ensure continuity. In general, faculty and staff committee membership starts on July 1 of any given year, making committee engagements on an academic year cycle. Student membership typically begins on January 1 of a given year and aligns with the calendar year.

The SPH Organizational Charts

The School of Public Health organizational charts by department are below, illustrating relationships of job positions within each unit.

Please contact the Senior Associate Dean for Finance, Administration and Business Operations with any questions.