Journal article
Shared leadership team: the creation, journey, lessons learned
Frontiers in public health, v 14, 1695469
17 Mar 2026
PMID: 41923755
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.
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Details
- Title
- Shared leadership team: the creation, journey, lessons learned
- Creators
- Tasha Joshua - Drexel UniversityReina Lopez - Drexel UniversityJordan S. Wilson - Drexel UniversityMarie Owino - Drexel UniversityEndaisia Love - Drexel UniversityLeah Schinasi - Drexel UniversityMelissa J. Kaufman - Drexel UniversityElizabeth Waetzig - Matrix Research (United States)Gina S. Lovasi - Drexel UniversityRenee’ H. Moore
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in public health, v 14, 1695469
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the Transforming Academia for Equity program: 79469, 81584, 82851
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This work was supported financially by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the Transforming Academia for Equity program (grant #'s 79469, 81584, 82851). The funder had no role in the article design; data collection, analysis, or interpretation; manuscript preparation; or the decision to submit the article for publication.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental and Occupational Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001730054900001
- Other Identifier
- 991022171479804721