Founded in 1922 as one of the three original schools of public health in the US, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (the Mailman School) is recognized globally and domestically as a leader in public health research, education and service. This pilot of the Tow Doctoral Scholars Program will be focused on identifying and cultivating a small group of promising students from within the Mailman School who may have never considered an academic career path and a PhD, or who have been dissuaded by a variety of barriers. This grant will support the living, personal and mentorship expenses for up to five students for the first two years of their five-year doctoral program. Students will be carefully matched with trained mentors and sponsors whose background matches the interests and career goals of each student. Mentors will provide professional guidance, personal support and research opportunities to further these students on their doctoral path. The Mailman School will carefully evaluate the pilot program in the hope of building a pipeline for public health leaders who reflect the diverse and complex communities served by the field.
