Creating a Space to Thrive: Faculty and Staff Success through Wellness, Community, and Supportive Infrastructure

Objective Pre-pandemic 2020 data from a climate survey identified areas of improvement in faculty and staff sense of belonging, being valued, being connected to the School community, and the presence of burnout. As a result of this and challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, two goals were set: 1) create a culture of well-being and community for faculty and staff and 2) create systems, processes, and structures to increase support for faculty and staff. Methods Changes in School infrastructure, programming, and assessment were implemented, including: 1) establishment of a staff council, 2) joint faculty/staff meetings and gatherings, 3) hybrid work arrangements for staff, 4) improvements to school facilities, 5) streamlining of school-wide communication 6) community well-being initiatives, and 7) streamlining ways to document faculty productivity (PHARCAR).