Center for Public Health Workforce Development

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce is dedicated to strengthening the public health workforce to improve health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere. It serves as a bridge between academia, practice, and communities, aiming to meet the demands of the moment and the needs of the future. 

Workforce Logo

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development is committed to building and strengthening an inclusive public health workforce equipped to protect and promote the health of all people in all populations. Our commitment is realized through key strategies including workforce research to monitor trends and anticipate emerging training needs, resource development to integrate vital skills and competencies into academic curricula, and mentorship and training programs. We partner with leading public health organizations to deliver lifelong learning opportunities and actively advocate for federal investments to diversify the workforce and reduce barriers, such as student loan debt, ensuring a sustainable and resilient public health system. 

Priorities and Strategies


Academic & Practice Partnerships

STRATEGY:
Partner and Collaborate

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development partners with leading public health organizations to enhance the quality, reach, and impact of our workforce development efforts. These collaborations ensure that the Center’s initiatives are aligned with real-world needs and reflect the evolving demands of public health practice. 

Workforce Research

STRATEGY:
Collect and analyze

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development conducts public health workforce research to understand, anticipate, and respond to the evolving needs of the field. Through systematic data collection and analysis on competencies, curricula, and public health institutions, the Center identifies emerging gaps, forecasts future needs, and informs the development of curricula and training programs that align with real-world demands. 

Workforce Development

STRATEGY:
Identify or Develop Tools, Resources, and Recommendations

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development supports public health workforce development by advancing education, training, and research initiatives that strengthen and diversify the field. We develop evidence-based resources, competencies, and curricula tailored to align academic preparation with public health practice, ensuring public health professionals are equipped with the skills required to address evolving challenges. 

Applied Learning & Training

STRATEGY:
Mentor and Train the Workforce

The Center seeks to support applied learning experiences that provide recent graduates with practical, mentored experiences in public health practice, policy, and leadership. These programs aim to bridge academic training with real-world application, enhancing the skills and competencies of early career public health professionals. 

Credentialing & Continuing Education

STRATEGY:
Life-Long Learning

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development advances public health credentialing and continuing education to formally recognize and enhance the skills of professionals throughout their careers. Public health credentialing validates expertise, demonstrates competency in critical areas, and ensures public trust in the workforce, while continuing education opportunities allow professionals to stay current with new knowledge, technologies, and best practices. 

STRATEGY:
Partner and Collaborate

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development partners with leading public health organizations to enhance the quality, reach, and impact of our workforce development efforts. These collaborations ensure that the Center’s initiatives are aligned with real-world needs and reflect the evolving demands of public health practice. 

STRATEGY:
Collect and analyze

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development conducts public health workforce research to understand, anticipate, and respond to the evolving needs of the field. Through systematic data collection and analysis on competencies, curricula, and public health institutions, the Center identifies emerging gaps, forecasts future needs, and informs the development of curricula and training programs that align with real-world demands. 

STRATEGY:
Identify or Develop Tools, Resources, and Recommendations

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development supports public health workforce development by advancing education, training, and research initiatives that strengthen and diversify the field. We develop evidence-based resources, competencies, and curricula tailored to align academic preparation with public health practice, ensuring public health professionals are equipped with the skills required to address evolving challenges. 

STRATEGY:
Mentor and Train the Workforce

The Center seeks to support applied learning experiences that provide recent graduates with practical, mentored experiences in public health practice, policy, and leadership. These programs aim to bridge academic training with real-world application, enhancing the skills and competencies of early career public health professionals. 

STRATEGY:
Life-Long Learning

The ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development advances public health credentialing and continuing education to formally recognize and enhance the skills of professionals throughout their careers. Public health credentialing validates expertise, demonstrates competency in critical areas, and ensures public trust in the workforce, while continuing education opportunities allow professionals to stay current with new knowledge, technologies, and best practices. 

Research and Practice Team


Emily Burke, EdD, MPH, CPH
Senior Director of Workforce Development and Applied Practice
Meheret Adera, MPH
Evaluation Specialist
Elizabeth Burpee, MSW, MPH
Director of Public Health Workforce Development
Jordan Fox, MPH
Manager of Public Health Workforce Initiatives
Sarah Marie Gusman, MPH
Senior Data Analyst
Beth Handler, MPH
Director of Public Health Credentialing
Ciera Locklear
Senior Manager of Partnerships and Community Engagement
Sara McDowell, MPH, CPH
Senior Manager of Public Health Training and Credentialing
Melissa Meadows, MPH, MAT
Director of Public Health Continuing Education
Sierra Sledge, MPH
Fellowship Program Manager
Frank Smith, MBA, MA
Lead, Data Architecture and Business Intelligence
Monica González Stadtler
Director of Applied Learning and Training
Kaitlin Tager, MPH, CHES
Senior Manager of Workforce Development and Applied Practice

Have questions or want to get involved with the ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development?

Connect with us to learn more about how we’re bridging academia, practice, and communities to strengthen the public health workforce for today and tomorrow.