The purpose of this study was to survey LHDs in New England, given their diverse organization, to: (1) establish a baseline of their existing working relationships with neighboring academic institutions; (2) examine perceived or existing barriers that inhibit the development of collaborations with academic partners; (3) assess how they jointly promote or engage in public health workforce development; and (4) analyze which essential public health services are embodied in their efforts or those that may be reflected within their existing collaborative partnerships. The authors discuss how effective academic-LHD partnerships have the potential to facilitate a broad-based, universal appreciation of public health among students via a wide array of public health curricula, educational resources, and applied experiential learning opportunities in public health settings. The authors provide recommendations for combining basic public health lessons with practical experiences, expertise, and leadership offered by LHDs, in order to foster a real, stronger understanding of public health, its importance, practice, and relevance in today’s society from a public health workforce perspective.