Creating Healthy Places: The Humphrey School of Public Affairs' Dean Nisha Botchwey on Cross-Sector Collaboration and the Next Generation of Leaders
By Julia Gamolina
Nisha Botchwey, PhD, MCRP, MPH, Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, specializes in the intersection of public health and the built environment, focusing on urban planning. Her career, enriched by a blend of academic and leadership roles, includes significant work in youth advocacy for healthy community design. Botchwey's background features degrees from Harvard, UVA, and the University of Pennsylvania, and her contributions are recognized through various prestigious awards and over $16 million in research grants.
JG: Your background is in public health and city and regional planning, and we are coming off of four really significant years for both realms -- a pandemic and how pandemic life has affected our cities. What have you learned in these past four years that you're taking with you in your outlook for 2024? What's your biggest priority for this year?
NB: Since March 2020, amid the international public health emergency caused by COVID-19, I’ve been reminded of the critical need for cross-sector collaboration, especially among public health experts, built environment professionals, and policymakers. The pandemic highlighted the necessity of comprehensive public health strategies, such as innovative surveillance like monitoring waterborne viral loads, and valuing the input of vulnerable groups. A key lesson from this experience is the influence of our environments—where we live, work, learn, and play—on our health, shaped by factors ranging from building design to access to healthy and affordable food.
Building on these lessons, my 2024 priority as Dean of the Humphrey School is to foster continued collaboration. We will address critical global, national and local challenges, such as climate change, racial injustice, gender inequality, human rights, voting, and escalating health inequities. The Humphrey School is committed to educating, engaging and equipping leaders and communities to discover solutions that advance the common good in our diverse world. This is reflected in our strategic plan, focusing on student success, expanding our influence, and pioneering innovative research. These initiatives are fundamental to our mission and essential for meeting the needs of our evolving society.
Professor Lokko, introducing Dean Nisha Botchwey, speaking as part of the Public Health, Architecture and Urbanism Dialogues event series. Photograph by Festus Jackson-Davis, 2021.
Now taking a step back, I'd love to learn why you decided to study and pursue work within public health and city and regional planning. What were you hoping to do in the world?
My journey into public health and city planning started with fond memories of the marine ecosystems in Jamaica, where I spent summers with my grandmother and cousins. During my time at Harvard University, studying environmental science and public policy, I had a chance to assess the health of the coral reef in Montego Bay Marine Park. A moment of clarity came to me after a research dive, as I floated past a resort that was immediately next to a densely populated informal settlement. I made a crucial link: the health of the reef was directly tied to that coastal development. This understanding was vital for how I approached marine environment protection. It guided me towards pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Planning at the University of Pennsylvania. Yet, it was my experience with the urban ecosystems of North Philadelphia that significantly shifted my focus. There, along with my husband and friends, we created The Trinity Center, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting low-income urban communities in the areas of education, health and financial well being.
During my graduate studies, my personal life significantly shaped my career path. The moment my parents were diagnosed with type-II diabetes, despite leading what appeared to be healthy lives, was a turning point for me. This experience drove me to explore how community development and health intersect, particularly the role of faith-based organizations and community development corporations in fostering healthy neighborhoods. As a professor and dean, I've refined this focus towards youth advocacy in health and wellbeing. My goal is to empower the younger generation, including my children, to recognize issues, devise solutions, and advocate for their implementation.
Tell me about your trajectory in academia and becoming Dean - why the academy, and how you've evolved with it over the years.
My academic journey and progression to becoming Dean at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota was in no way a straight path. Instead, it has been deeply influenced by my diverse personal and professional experiences. Starting in Kindergarten labeled as an English as a Second Language student, My family and I navigated through the educational system, driven by the resilience and example set by my parents: my father, who had to stop his formal education at the age of seven, and my mother, a registered nurse, both immigrants to the U.S. They instilled in me that education is liberation, it’s the only thing the world can not take from you. This background has shaped my perspective and fueled my desire to positively impact the world.
From finishing at a Title I high school in Miami, Norland Senior High, to attending esteemed institutions like Harvard, UPenn, and UVA, my career path was not without challenges, including confronting racism early in my journey. Teaching roles at UVA and GT preceded my current position, where my research emphasized health, the built environment, youth advocacy, and health equity.
I was drawn to the Humphrey School during a crucial time of rebuilding in our Minneapolis community, following the devastating impact of George Floyd's murder by Derek Chauvin. Experiencing the community's shock and subsequent awakening to the realities of police brutality and systemic racism reinforced my decision to add my hands to the rebuilding. The school's courage in addressing societal challenges and its commitment to the common good deeply aligned with my values. As a leading institution in public policy and planning, the Humphrey School’s focus on addressing complex issues through comprehensive policy, systemic, and environmental strategies resonated deeply with me. The 'Humphrey Way', emphasizing collaboration and community engagement, mirrors my dedication to working with a diverse group of researchers, government bodies, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups, all united in our mission to create a thriving community for all.
In my role as Dean, I am not just an administrator but an active participant in an environment that encourages tackling hard issues — from climate change and racial injustice to gender inequality and global development. This aligns with my life as a triathlete, reader, and foodie, where pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons are constants. Now, in Minneapolis, I am also embracing new experiences, including winter activities, supported by a vibrant community that includes my family and wonderful friends.
“To effectively address societal challenges in our interconnected world, students need to develop a comprehensive skill set. This includes effective listening, understanding diverse points of view and historical contexts, and excelling in interdisciplinary problem-solving.”
What are the most important things for students these days to have as their foundation?
To effectively address societal challenges in our interconnected world, students need to develop a comprehensive skill set. This includes effective listening, understanding diverse points of view and historical contexts, and excelling in interdisciplinary problem-solving.
From 2006-2012, I worked in South Africa on the Water and Health in Limpopo Project with University of Virginia and the University of Venda colleagues from Public Health, Engineering, Sociology, Architecture, Medicine and Nursing. We trained groups of students to lead water and health related projects in the bantusan, the homeland of the Venda-speaking people during apartheid. The success of the project - bringing a clean and dependable water source to two villages - was only possible because our multidisciplinary team listened and partnered with the community, understood multiple perspectives of the issues and past efforts, and implemented a solution within the context of the current policy and available local resources.
While in South Africa, and as experienced by our students in the Humphrey School, our students sharpen their education with practical, real-world and impactful experiences, alongside theoretical knowledge. We covered topics like environmental sustainability, social justice, and ethics to ensure the identified solution is beneficial and long lasting. Active citizenship, taking ownership, and the ability to identify and utilize diverse tools beyond the convenient and standard ones (those found in high resource environments) are crucial.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
Looking back, my biggest challenge was overcoming imposter syndrome, especially in the early part of my academic career when the field of health and the built environment was just establishing a foundation. This feeling of self-doubt and being exposed as a fraud, despite my deep experience, skills and hard work, is experienced by a majority of people, likely including the person reading this piece right now.
Initially, my research didn't fit the traditional planning or public health models, leading to suggestions that I ‘pick a box - planning or public health’ because doing both will not work. As a young scholar, untenured and attempting to chart a new path, I was tempted to give in to self-doubt. With support from my husband, mentors, like-minded scholars and colleagues from groups like the CDC's healthy places group and active living research, I persisted.
What resulted at that stage of decision making was the ‘Green Health’ collaboration with colleagues from University of Minnesota’s College of Design and UVA’s Department of Emergency Medicine, the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research, the National Academy of Environmental Design, and the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. This concept of ‘Green Health’ highlights the convergence of priorities between the green building industry and public health, focusing on promoting active lifestyles and access to healthy, local foods. Together, we produced a report, “Green Health: Building Sustainable Schools for Healthy Kids,” which became a significant resource for public health and green building communities, offering insights and recommendations for using green building design to prevent childhood obesity.
This broadening of my community of scholars was pivotal in not only finding my niche but also in amplifying my impact and elevating the work of others. These experiences taught me the importance of resilience and innovation in academia, shaping my approach to cross-disciplinary collaboration and problem-solving.
“Intelligence isn’t just about knowledge, but more importantly, about curiosity and the willingness to explore, dream, reflect and push beyond the current boundaries.”
What have you also learned in the last six months?
In the last six months, I've really seen how a team that works toward the same goal can do amazing things. Every team member plays a key role, learning together, from both the ups and the downs. Open and honest communication has been key to making our team work well and maximize student success at the Humphrey School.
As the Dean of our school, I've also changed how I view work-life balance; it's more like finding a rhythm in our day-to-day, knowing when to push hard and when to ‘pump the breaks’. It's like understanding the pace and mood of a song – some days, most days are fast and challenging, others more relaxed. I try to move in sync with these changing rhythms, and influence the rhythm - dancing through life's different moments.
What are you most excited about right now?
What excites me, now and always, is the potential and power of our youth, their leadership, and their inspiring journey. This drives my commitment to academia, where I witness the remarkable achievements and growth of our students. Take Rashad Williams, for example, whose PhD work now enriches the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor. There's Andrea Wood at Best Buy impacting social change, and Andrew Butts, whose Green Neighbor Challenge is a beacon for sustainable energy. Acooa Ellis, lauded for her leadership, is pioneering racial equality through the Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities, and Comfort Dondo's groundbreaking nonprofit aiding domestic abuse survivors is a testament to her resilience and dedication, recognized by a Bush Fellowship. Their success stories, rooted in a Humphrey School education, exemplify what’s possible.
My involvement with youth, particularly through V3 Sports, extends beyond my academic endeavors. As a triathlete, I am passionately supporting youth triathlons in North Minneapolis, a community characterized by its rich cultural diversity and resilience in the face of socio-economic challenges. Recognizing the critical importance of water safety education, especially considering the notable drowning disparities that often impact underrepresented communities, these triathlons are more than athletic events; they are platforms for empowerment, teaching perseverance, and fostering a spirit of achievement in young athletes. Our motto “Don’t just tri, finish strong,” highlights the significance of resilience and accomplishment in life's various arenas.
Who are you admiring now and why?
Currently, I find myself deeply admiring Lesley Lokko for her exceptional global leadership in design, equity, and future thinking. Lokko, renowned for her work as an architect, academic, and curator, has been instrumental in shaping the dialogue around architecture and culture. I had the privilege of meeting her in 2021 when she invited me to speak at the African Futures Institute (AFI) in Ghana, a country that also connects me personally through my husband. Her founding of AFI in Accra stands as a beacon, redefining Africa's role in future urban development and highlighting contributions from the African diaspora.
Before AFI, Lesley’s tenure as Dean at the Spitzer School of Architecture in New York was brief but impactful and inspiring, marked by her bold stance on racism and inequality in academic institutions. Her leadership at the Venice Biennale in 2023, focusing on African and Africa-related architectural expressions, was groundbreaking. She has continually been a voice for change, addressing the need for more inclusive and equitable approaches within the field of architecture.
Earlier this year, she was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects, becoming the first African woman to receive this prestigious honor, recognizing her lifetime contributions and role as a visionary agent of change in architecture. She is a relentless advocate for diversity and inclusivity, both in educational and professional spaces of architecture. Her work, in teaching, writing, and curating, not only promotes architectural diversity but also champions a more holistic and accessible approach to the discipline, embodying the essence of Ubuntu — "I am because we are."
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And, what does success in that look like to you?
In my roles as a professor, associate dean, and now dean, my core mission is and continues to be, fostering the next generation of public affairs leaders. This involves nurturing their abilities to listen, think critically, and address complex issues. The aim is not just to exceed past achievements but to ignite a greater force for positive change. Strengthening democracy through comprehensive education means equipping young people with both specialized and foundational skills.
A prime example of this mission in action is the Youth Engagement and Action for Health (YEAH!) program. This 14-week curriculum focuses on engaging youth in meaningful community development, from assessing neighborhood needs to advocating for change with decision makers. Youth in the program have worked on improving water fountain cleaning protocols in Florida to securing significant funding for a park study in Lihue, Hawaii. These projects go beyond mere activities; they're about nurturing a culture of advocacy in our youth, a skill they will carry throughout their lives.
Such initiatives embody my vision of success: communities transformed by empathetic, informed leaders, flourishing under the guidance of educational institutions that are true incubators of change. Witnessing my students and professionals make tangible, positive differences in their communities and beyond is the ultimate indicator of this success.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
For those starting their career, remember to be kind, smart, and brave. I borrow this framework from my friend, President Harriet Nembhardt from Harvey Mudd, adding bravery.
Kindness involves making and keeping friends, helping others, and stretching yourself for your betterment and those around you. Intelligence isn't just about knowledge, but more importantly, about curiosity and the willingness to explore, dream, reflect and push beyond the current boundaries. Bravery is about being true to yourself in a world that often pushes conformity. This advice holds for everyone, despite the challenges in front of you, your gender or your field. Stay true to yourself and strive to grow and evolve daily.
In my early career, I faced pressure to conform to traditional roles. If I hadn’t bravely pursued my interests, the things I enjoyed doing every day, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to contribute to the significant work of creating healthy places.