Award Information

ADVANCE ADAPTATION: Re-envisioning Inclusive and Sustainable Excellence (RISE): Advancing Women in STEM at Old Dominion University

Award Date: 7/1/2023

Award Number (FAIN): 2305202

Award Instrument: Standard Grant

Managing Division Abbreviation: EES

Funding Opportunity: NSF 20-554 ADVANCE: Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic Professions

Award Period of Performance: Start Date: 8/1/2023

Award Period of Performance Estimated End Date: 7/31/2026

Awarded Amount: $1,000,000.00

Investigators: Augustine Agho (Principal Investigator), Stephanie A. Finley-Croswhite (Co-Principal Investigator), Stacie Ringleb (Co-Principal Investigator), Vukica Jovanovic (Co-Principal Investigator), Shanda J. Jenkins (Co-Principal Investigator)

Program Coordinator: Mahfoudha Sidelemine

Sponsor: Old Dominion University, 5115 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23529

ADVANCE-RISE

Abstract

Old Dominion University seeks to implement an ADVANCE ADAPTATION project entitled Re-envisioning Inclusive and Sustainable Excellence (RISE): Advancing Women in STEM at Old Dominion University aimed at increasing the numbers of women, especially women of color, STEM faculty. The project is designed to make a significant contribution to university efforts focused on eliminating gender and race disparities on campus. Using an intersectional lens, RISE plans to test the effectiveness of Equity Advisors, Launch Committees, equitable service distribution, policy changes, accountability structures, and improved departmental climates to ensure more equitable processes that will support STEM faculty. The RISE project also seeks to incorporate evidence-based strategies drawn from previous ADVANCE programs developed at Case-Western Reserve, the University of Michigan, and Kansas State University, among others, as well as best practices related to departmental climate adapted from Columbia University to create systemic change.   

The ODU RISE ADVANCE project has three goals:

  1. Increase the recruitment and hiring of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty;
  2. Increase the tenure and promotion of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty, and
  3. Improve departmental climate to enhance inclusivity.

Structured interventions include:

  1. Providing resources for STEM departments for hiring and holding departments and deans accountable for their hiring practices;
  2. Creating processes for equitable launch upon hire, equitable distribution of service, and increased transparency in the evaluation of scholarly work and promotion and tenure guidelines; and 
  3. Implementing strategies and programs that foster academic culture change and result in building departments where diverse STEM faculty can thrive.

The goals and activities are mutually supportive, reciprocal, and necessary for progress and sustainability. Their scope is intended to bring tangible benefits, especially to women, women of color, and women with international backgrounds in the STEM fields. ODU RISE aims to raise awareness of equity issues among faculty members and improve the departmental climate of all STEM disciplines. A more diverse faculty will impact broader participation in the sciences, social sciences, and engineering. This project will also work to enhance existing efforts at ODU to positively influence the trajectory of minoritized students in STEM fields by ensuring that these students have more opportunities to work with women, especially women of color, STEM faculty.