Navajo NARCH Partnership Admin-Core

ABSTRACT The Administrative Core will be co-led by Diné College (tribal college of the Navajo Nation) [MPIs: MC Bauer, PhD and CB Kahn, DrPH (Navajo)] and Northern Arizona University (NAU) [MPIs: NI Teufel-Shone, PhD and J Wilson, MPH (Navajo)] using a collaborative leadership model.

In contrast to a hierarchical or autocratic approach, collaborative leadership supports a style of administration and management in which the skills and knowledge of all members of the leadership team are honored for their potential contribution to decision making, resource allocation, communication and organization.

This approach supports the equitable integration of the senior MPIs (M. Bauer and N. Teufel-Shone) and the junior MPIs (C. Kahn and J. Wilson). Dr. Kahn and Ms.

Wilson have worked with the Navajo NARCH for more than four years as component coordinators, but now will be transitioning to assuming new roles in the leadership team.

This approach will assure that the 4 MPI leadership team functions effectively and efficiently, and effectuates the goal of mentoring early career Navajo scholars to develop the skills and confidence to lead a multi-component research-education center.

For four years, Navajo NARCH has prioritized the development of reciprocal relationships with agencies and program directors/managers to gain experience for a new generation of health researchers and public health practitioners and in turn, to offer the skills of this eager and now, well educated workforce to contribute to health research and public health efforts within Navajo Nation.

The Center has assembled a diverse group of Community Advisory Board (CAB) members from across Navajo Nation, representing public health, primary health care, health research, education, government, and tribally and federally-run programs to assure the regional and cultural relevance of NARCH activities.

The aims of this Core are designed to ensure effective, coordinated action and progression towards the goals of the Center.

In Years 1-4, the Administrative Core will 1) Manage an infrastructure that fosters transparent communication among all Center personnel and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, supports efficient operation and promotes an environment conducive to ethical and productive training, collaboration and research, 2) Provide clear leadership and oversight to facilitate effective distribution of resources and identify training and career development opportunities for NARCH team members, and 3) Convene quarterly with the CAB to obtain guidance and feedback on implementation and dissemination activities, and solicit strategies to leverage the Center's resources to build the service and research capacity of the Navajo Nation.

The Administrative Core will use a mixed methods approach to track factors contributing to progress, achievements, delays and related changes of the Center components? stated goals and aims and to evaluate the Center's outcomes and challenges.