Evaluation Reports

1997-2007 SEPHLI Evaluation | Year 10 Scholars Final Program Evaluation

Advancing Public Health Leadership in the Southeast: An Evaluation of the Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute, 1997-2007

Authors: Karl Umble, PhD, MPH, and Chloe Katz, MPH (c)

Abstract | Read the Report

The Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute (SEPHLI),is a year-long leadership development program for mid- to senior-level administrators in governmental and non-governmental public health organizations in North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. It is offered by the North Carolina Institute for Public Health and sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as by participating states. SEPHLI’s objectives are to enhance the leadership abilities of its target group and to develop a network of public health leaders in the Southeast region.  Ultimately, the program intends that these better-prepared leaders and strengthened professional networks will improve public health programs, organizations, systems, and policies.  

SEPHLI was critical in helping me to work with individuals by understanding personality traits and decision making tendencies....My ability to accomplish projects, even in difficult situations or with those who are not normal partners, has grown exponentially since attending SEPHLI. Developing an understanding of what makes people tick and how they tick, has helped me to recognize that others may have needs that can be met while trying to accomplish my goals .

Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on: developing personal awareness and awareness of others (personality, interpersonal leadership, and change styles), problem-solving, risk and crisis communication skills, team building, partnering and collaborating, visioning and futuring, critical thinking, political and social change strategies, coaching and mentoring, ethics, and building the public health infrastructure.

In 2008, SEPHLI staff asked NCIPH evaluation staff to assess the program’s long-term influence on its graduates, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, and to document the actions graduates have taken since graduation and their results.

Abstract

The Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute began as an effort to improve public health infrastructure after the 1988 IOM report, The Future of Public Health. Started in 1997, the program has developed the capabilities of leaders, strengthened their influence, and encouraged them to lead within their respective states on personal, organizational, community and policy levels. Graduates reported improved skills, increased confidence and knowledge, broadened perspectives, and a renewed commitment to public health. Graduates also reported networking with other scholars in their cohorts, and stronger collaborations with other public health officials in their communities and states. Graduates also explained how they were using their new skills and insights to strengthen programs, organizations, systems (partnerships and collaborations), and policies.

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Read the Report

• Complete Report (132 pages)
• Executive Summary  (16 pages)
• Evaluation Results Flyer (2 pages)

Separate Sections of the Report:

• Table of Contents
• Table of Figures
• Table of Tables
• Introduction, Description of the Current Program, Evaluation Questions and Methods
• Results:
  • Domain 1: Individual Leader Development and Leader Actions
  • Domain 2: Public Health Infrastructure Development
  • Domain 3: Barriers to Leader Development and Scholar Recommendations and Comments
  • Domain 4: Key Informant Viewpoints and Recommendations for SEPHLI
• Discussion
• References
• Appendix A- Southeast Public Health Leadership Institute Survey
• Appendix B- Interview Guide for Key Informants

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Year 10 Scholars Final Program Evaluation

The final evaluation for SEPHLI's Year 10 class indicates that the 33 scholars who graduated were extremely happy with their overall experience in the program. Scholars strongly indicated that they would recommend the SEPHLI program to colleagues, citing enhanced perspective, increased awareness and understanding of leadership styles, and development of professional networks. Read the report.

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