Public Health Leadership
The Public Health Leadership concentration equips students with leadership skills to lead equity-focused public health interventions.
Welcome to Public Health Leadership!
Students participate in a highly curated series of workshops grounded in adult development and systems change theories. Upon completion of the concentration, students have a deeper understanding of who they are as leaders including their strengths and growth areas in leading systems level change.
What We Do
Students in the Public Health Leadership concentration are trained in understanding systemic problems, setting new directions, leading change, and learning quickly from mistakes. They develop a deep sense of self and know how to connect and collaborate with others to address the most intractable population health challenges.
Learning in this concentration happens both inside and outside the classroom–– as a student, you may participate in retreats, experiential workshops, and conversations with alumni as you build connections with other students and refine your collaboration skills. Students will also gain essential leadership expertise in communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and active listening through a curriculum focused on theories, models, and skills-building. The concentration is offered by the School’s Public Health Leadership Lab, which provides extracurricular opportunities for participants to learn and engage in leadership-building activities. Options are available for both residential and online students.
All students who register for the public health leadership lab will be expected to complete each of the following program components.
Curriculum
(Available to any Harvard Chan student)
2026 Fall Semester
Leadership Theory in Action Workshop Series
A five-part, highly interactive workshop series that uses leadership development theories and case studies to expand student’s leadership and management awareness and skills. Advanced registration required.
Cohort 1: Mondays 5:30-7:20pmET Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, and Nov. 9 (In-person only Kresge 202)
Cohort 2: Tuesdays 5:30pm-7:20pmET Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 27, and Nov. 3 (Virtual only Zoom link on PHL Canvas Site)
Cohort 3: Wednesdays 5:30pm-7:20pmET Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4 (in-person only Kresge 200)
2027 Spring 1
Public Health Leadership Cross-Generational Conversations (Virtual)
Facilitated group mentoring sessions with Harvard Chan alums, instructors, and staff. Advanced registration required.
Tuesdays 6:00-8:00pmET Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Feb 23, and Mar. 2 (Virtual only Zoom link on PHL Canvas Site)
Available to any Harvard Chan Student who completes 10 credits of leadership coursework from this roster of approved courses during their degree program.
Students who are interested in participating in PHL Leadership Workshops but who are unable to complete the 10-credits required to fulfill the concentration are still eligible to register for the workshops.
PHL Closing Retreat involves facilitated exploration and application of the leadership theories and lessons learned within 10 credits of coursework. PHL Closing Retreat will take place in-person on Friday, April 2, 2026 from 1pm-5pm in Kresge. Advanced registration required.
Enrollment
All Harvard Chan students enrolled in any online or in-person degree program are eligible to participate in Public Health Leadership Lab programming. Students interested in receiving a concentration in Public Health Leadership will be required to 1) complete 10 credits of leadership coursework, 2) participate in a majority of the workshops, 3) complete a final reflection assignment, and 4) must be enrolled in a degree program.
Registration is now closed for the 2025-2026 academic year. Registration for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in late August.