March 25, 2025

Access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right and vital for global health and development. Yet millions still struggle to meet these basic needs. In 2014, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health (DSPH) and World Vision, the largest NGO provider of clean water in the developing world, partnered through the philanthropy of Dana and David Dornsife to address these challenges.

Over the past decade, this collaboration has trained future public health leaders and empowered frontline workers through innovative programs that blend academic rigor with real-world practice.

Through the internationally recognized Dornsife Global Development Scholars program, Drexel students gain hands-on experience tackling WASH issues, while World Vision staff enhance their ability to deliver sustainable, community-led solutions through the WASH Certificate program.

The Drexel/World Vision partnership has made a lasting difference across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Philadelphia, advancing gender-inclusive strategies and breaking systemic barriers for underserved communities.

To commemorate this anniversary the Office of Global Health at DSPH, led by Idris Robinson, MPH, Executive Director of Global Health and Strategic Partnerships, has produced a 10-Year Anniversary Commemorative Book that highlights stories and collective impact that define this journey.

"As the social, political, and environmental climates evolve, so must we— expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and building communities that uphold dignity and create sustainable futures," writes Robinson in the book's introduction. "Together, we will do more, do better, and ensure that every step forward shapes a healthier, more equitable world where no one is left behind."

DSPH remains committed to scaling these efforts, ensuring equitable access to WASH, and creating meaningful, lasting change for generations to come.

Read 10-Year Anniversary Commemorative Book