With the support of a $1 million ADVANCE ADAPTATION grant from the National Science Foundation, the goal of the project “Re-envisioning Inclusive and Sustainable Excellence (RISE): Advancing Women in STEM at Old Dominion University” will boost university efforts focused on eliminating gender and race disparities on campus. The grant is focused on increasing the numbers of women, especially women of color, in STEM disciplines. Using evidence-based strategies from previous ADVANCE programs, RISE will employ new initiatives on campus designed to promote a more inclusive environment where faculty, particularly women in STEM, can thrive.
RISE recognizes the importance of the intersectionality of race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nation, ability, and age in shaping social inequalities. These inequalities influence recruitment, hiring, tenure and promotion, and contribute to difficult department climates.
RISE is designed to:
- Increase the recruitment and hiring of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty;
- Increase the tenure and promotion of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty; and,
- Improve departmental climate to enhance inclusivity.
The RISE Project seeks to achieve sustainable change that will transform ODU’s campus community into one that embraces a vibrant and diverse STEM faculty.
NSF ADVANCE Program
The NSF ADVANCE program is designed to foster gender equity through a focus on the identification and elimination of organizational barriers that impede the full participation and advancement of diverse faculty in academic institutions. Organizational barriers that inhibit equity may exist in policies, processes, practices, and the organizational culture and climate. ADVANCE ADAPTATION awards provide support for the adaptation and adoption of evidence-based strategies to academic, non-profit institutions of higher education as well as non-academic, non-profit organizations.
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At ODU, you won’t just study–you’ll also explore the world around you, gaining knowledge through real-life experiences that will shape your future. You can choose from more than 150 academic programs, including fields like digital shipbuilding, cybersecurity and bioelectrics. With our emphasis on student success and experiential learning, you'll get the outcomes you want at ODU. Because of all the things you’ll learn at Old Dominion, none is more valuable than learning who you were meant to be.