Strengthening Faculty Mentoring of Online DrPH Students: A Service-First Focus Approach

Abstract

In this article, we share insights related to the coaching and mentoring of doctor of public health (DrPH) students based on our experience. We discuss the evolution of DrPH programs, which are distinct from research-focused PhD programs, along with challenges faced by faculty members and students. We apply the Community of Inquiry framework as a theoretical foundation and propose a novel service-first focus approach to support mid-career professional DrPH students. Our coaching and mentoring approach focuses on leadership development, collaboration, and 6 critical elements: compassion and empathy, prompting inquisitiveness, goals and milestones, meeting them where they are, partnership, and a coaching mindset. We use a case study approach focused on the University of South Florida College of Public Health’s DrPH online program. Testimonials from DrPH alumni illustrate the value of the service-first focus approach. We also discuss the importance of cultivating faculty members who support these students through systems approaches, leadership development, partnership, and trust building. Areas for future research include evaluating the impact of this mentorship approach on student milestone attainment compared with outcomes among students who were mentored in more traditional ways, including those in PhD programs. Such an evaluation would provide valuable data to continue to shape this model. Enlisting other DrPH programs to strengthen the evaluation’s rigor would benefit all doctoral programs seeking to accelerate and enhance student success.