Goal 4: Partnerships for Collective Action
Collaborating with health system partners, governments, community organizations, citizen groups, industry and allies to address population health and health equity
The School of Public Health recognizes that complex public health challenges require reciprocal relationships, ongoing learning and collective action among diverse partners, communities, contributors and knowledge holders.
Through this goal, SPH is strengthening partnerships with health system partners, governments, community organizations, citizen groups, industry, Indigenous partners and communities, equity-deserving communities, alumni, adjunct faculty, donors and allies to advance population health and health equity.
Progress Updates
Year 1 (2025-26) Highlights
In 2025-26, SPH continued to strengthen the relationships and engagement pathways that support collective action. Progress focused on deepening equity-focused learning and engagement, reconnecting with adjunct faculty and alumni, creating more visible pathways for external expertise to contribute to teaching and learner engagement and advancing philanthropic investment aligned with School priorities.
SPH also began more deliberate internal coordination around community development with its three research centre directors, creating space to discuss how the School can better support, learn from and build on centre-based community engagement.
Together, these Year 1 efforts reflect SPH’s commitment to working relationally with partners, communities, alumni, adjunct faculty, donors and allies to address population health and health equity.
Equity-focused learning and engagement advanced
Through the SPH Diversity and Inclusion Action Group (DIAG) and related SPH activities, the School supported a sustained series of learning, dialogue and engagement opportunities focused on equity-deserving communities. Activities included workshops, speaker sessions, policy-focused learning opportunities and participation in university-wide events related to anti-oppression, Indigenous health, Black history, Pride Week and anti-racism. Together, these activities strengthened institutional learning, policy dialogue, community connection and broader campus engagement.
Adjunct and alumni engagement strengthened
SPH renewed its focus on adjunct and alumni engagement through targeted communications planning, meetings with adjunct faculty and in-person opportunities to reconnect. A key milestone was the Adjunct and Alumni Event, Excellence in Action: Connecting, Leading and Making an Impact, which brought close to 100 adjunct faculty and alumni together with SPH leaders and faculty to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for deeper involvement with the School.
Adjunct expertise connected to education and learner engagement
Adjunct faculty contributed to SPH teaching and learner engagement through MPH core courses, undergraduate courses, admissions activities, the Public Health Innovation Showcase, the Celebration of Experiential Learning and the SPHSA Networking Event. These activities created more visible pathways for adjunct faculty to share their practice expertise, contribute to student learning, support mentorship and strengthen learners’ professional connections.
Donor engagement and investment advanced
SPH strengthened donor engagement through targeted cultivation, alumni and donor outreach and proposal development aligned with School priorities. Highlights included two new student awards, an endowed gift called the Doug and Jane Wilson Fund to Support Experiential Learning in Public Health and six confirmed estate gifts. These achievements demonstrate growing momentum in building philanthropic support for learners, experiential learning and the long-term priorities of the School.