Continuing its support for DrPH students at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Incubator welcomed the DrPH Class of 2020 in early November to kick off a series of meetings designed to build a community of future partners in advancing global health. In answer to their opening—and open!—beginning question, “Why are you here?”, several participants expressed their excitement about the idea of an “Incubator” as conceived by Faculty Director Sue J. Goldie, and the inspiration they might find in that creative space.
Participants expressed the hope to go deep in conversations, in a way that the obligations of graduate school do not always allow, and to build community through sharing and storytelling. The group hopes to to learn more about how incubators work to create a space for growth—both professional and personal—as well as generate chance encounters “where we learn about and from each other, and…things we're passionate about.” Throughout the dynamic meeting, the DrPH students underscored their commitment to craft an enduring community, one that shares ideas for years after the academic program ends in a way that reflects the GHELI vision. As one member of the cohort mused, "What will our WhatsApp group look like in 5 years?”