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ABOUT
ABOUT
In 2020 the Dr. William N. Rom generously provides a gift to establish the Climate Change & Health Fellowship, housed within the Department of Global and Environmental Health. The Fellowship provides selected students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of climate change and health issues by engaging in a year-long project. In the past, Fellows engaged in independent research, attended global conferences, and partnered with UN agencies to advance projects and climate research.
When I stepped into the role of Program Administrator, the Fellowship lacked a clear governance structure, consistent operating processes, and a standardized program experience. Under my leadership we established a strong program vision and developed clear governing and administrative guidelines to ensure the program's long-term success.
SPECS
SPECS
Project Timeline: Annually July – June
Top-Skills: Program Management, Partnership Building,Program Design, Adaptation & Alignment, Strategic Communication, Operations & Administration
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
1. Defining Program Vision
Articulate a clear vision for the Fellowship with defined goals, objectives, and student deliverables. Curate a meaningful student experience by establishing foundational pillars that support student success throughout the annual program.
2. Establishing Governance
Establish clear fellowship governance and operating guidelines to assist in the annual fellowship selection process and ensure consistency year over year.
3. Developing Administrative SOP Guidelines
Develop clear operating procedures with clear timelines, define dependencies in administrative and operational components, and develop protocols and a step-by-step management process.
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
1. Design the full fellowship experience, which spans September through May, and ensure that all activities and opportunities adhered to the mission and purpose of Dr. Rom's gift. Lead governing committee formation process.
1. Design the full fellowship experience, which spans September through May, and ensure that all activities and opportunities adhered to the mission and purpose of Dr. Rom's gift. Lead governing committee formation process.
2. Cultivate and establish strategic partnerships to enhance fellowship programming. These partnerships were instrumental in bringing in project opportunities related to climate and health aligning with fellowship objectives.
3. Develop and manage the annual application process, including marketing materials, development of screening questions, and application forms. Ensure that students receive the support necessary for successful program completion.
ACTION #1
ACTION #1
Form governing committee, design the program experience and fellowship components.
GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE
Work with the GEH Department Chair on the formation of the Fellowship Committee, comprising of faculty whose areas of expertise are in environmental health and climate change.
Formalize the role of the committee in the fellowship's planning process and articulate the committee's responsibilities throughout the completion of the program.
The first order in business was to form a governing group that would make strategic decisions and serve as an advisory role.
The committee oversees the general planning process, taps into their networks to funnel student opportunities, oversees the student selection process, and provides advising and mentorship throughout the program.
Appoint environmental health and climate-focused faculty to committee ensures alignment with the fellowship's mission.
PROGRAM DESIGN
PROGRAM DESIGN
1. Global Conferences
Annual conferences on climate change for experiential opportunities.
2. Independent Project | Internship
Fellows may engage in research or pursue projects independently or with existing organizations.
3. Earth Day Presentations
Fellows present their research and culminating experience at the annual Earth Day event in April.
During the application, students are prompted to articulated their specific interests in climate change and propose potential research questions they would like to explore. As a group, we decided that having an experiential component –like a conference– serves as a platform for students to further explore or advance their research questions, and the opportunity to network with prominent players in the field.
After the conference, fellows work with their faculty mentors to design plans of action and deliverables they which they present at the end of their fellowship. Fellows then receive support and guidance throughout the semester to advance and complete their research/projects.
Lastly, Fellows present their research projects and reflect on their experience during an Earth Day event held in April, attended by the Fellowship funder and the GPH community where they showcase the work the've engaged throughout the semester.
ACTION #2
ACTION #2
Establish partnerships with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH).
UNDP
UNDP
By tapping into one GEH faculty member's network, we identified an opportunity through the UNDP Health and Development Unit working on portfolio projects on gendered-health approaches, energy transition, and Nationally Determined Contributions.
ISUH
ISUH
Additionally, one GEH faculty serves on the advisory board of the ISUH. In recent years, the organization has focused on themes of climate change and social determinants of health in urban settings, environmental stressors on infectious diseases, and building climate-resilient and adaptable urban environments.
During our initial meeting with UNDP we discussed collaboration and opportunities for fellows in two manners: 1) engage in a semester-long project via an internship component, and 2) attend *COP, the largest climate conference hosted by the UN every year in November.
ISUH has been focusing on urban health and climate change, and in recent years, the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) has been focusing on this intersection by developing themes around climate change resiliency, urban environment etc. Our collaboration with ISUH involves having our Fellows attend the annual ICUH.
ACTION #3
ACTION #3
Establish fellowship administrative timeline, program and application guidelines, and execute on all administrative components.
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
The fellowship timeline provide a general outline that outlines phases of the fellowship experiences and creates a roadmap of each administrative support function required at each phase of the fellowship.
The fellowship program is administratively heavy and planning begins as early as the Spring semester for the following academic year. The fellowship project manager ensures the delivery of all administrative functions and components.
The Committee focuses on student guidance, project/research development, connecting fellows with resources, and supporting additional research-related matters (IRB approvals, literature review, grant proposals, publications, etc.).
GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES
The fellowship guidelines provides students with an outline of the program, candidate eligibility and requirements, and application instructions.
ADMIN. COMPONENTS
ADMIN. COMPONENTS
1. Partnership agreements
2. Application form
3. Student onboarding
4. Gift management & award disbursement
5. Event planning, marketing & communications
This document articulates the program expectations and it is updated yearly to reflect fellowship updates, new timelines, and additional requirements that may have changed.
Lastly, there are additional administrative components are executed at various phases of the fellowship to ensure successful student experiences including: 1) updating partnership agreements with both UNDP and ISUH, 2) updating application forms and managing student applications, 3) planning and developing materials for student onboarding and orientation, 4) managing award/fund disbursement and fellows reimbursements, and 5) spearheading all operational and administrative logistics for Earth Day Event.
2022 Climate Fellows attended COP27 in Sharm-El Sheikh, Egypt.
2023 Climate Fellows attended the 19th International Conference on Urban Health in Atlanta, Georgia.
RESULTS
RESULTS
1. Establishment of structured fellowship program.
Through the creation of governance protocols, a streamlined process, and clearly defined program objectives, the Fellowship was transformed from a loosely organized initiative, to a structured, highly competitive program running with greater consistency and ensuring rewarding experiences for all fellows.
2. Expanded opportunities for Fellows
The fellowship cultivated strong partnership with key organizations like UNDP and ISUH. These collaborations enabled students to attend high-level global conferences, engage in internships and work on impactful projects enhancing their academic and professional development.
3. Enhanced visibility for Department of Global Health
The Climate Change & Health Fellowship not only advanced student development but also served as a key recruitment tool for the department. The fellowship helped position the Department of Global and Environmental Health as a leader in climate change and health within the School and has helped increase its visibility within the university and beyond, solidifying the department’s reputation and influence in the field.
MEDIA
MEDIA
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