Herman says increasing the school's focus on public health in foreign countries has been an important goal of SPH Dean Barry R. Bloom. Although the school already has connections with foreign health issues, such as through its Department of Population and International Health, the addition of former HIID program would enable the school to meet its goal of increasing the focus on public health in foreign countries.

She calls the HIID health group a "natural" fit with SPH.

Additionally, GSE is eyeing the three-member group of HIID employees who focus on education policy consulting, according to Joel C. Monell, dean for administration and academic services and faculty member at the education school.

"They aren't strangers to us," Monell says. "They are people we know and think highly of."

GSE already has a small program in international education, so just as at SPH, the inclusion of the former HIID programs will not move the school into new areas but only serve as an extension of current programs.

Working Out the Details

While the two schools receiving smaller contingents of HIID staff have fairly specific plans for how to integrate the programs and staff, the Kennedy School has yet to reach this level.

"We're now in the decision making mode about people and projects," Schauer says. He is responsible for deciding which HIID development professionals will be transferred to KSG.