NSF-ADVANCE Catalyst Project

Missouri State University is conducting an institutional self-assessment to understand the current status of women faculty in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines on our main campus. This study includes a thorough review of current social and behavioral research on gender equity, work-life balance, underrepresentation of certain groups in STEM and organizational change. We are receiving direct input from leaders of current and past ADVANCE institutions by hosting ADVANCE workshops on our main campus and by visiting exemplar institutions. Recognizing that gender, race, and ethnicity do not exist in isolation from each other and other categories of social identity, we are using intersectional approaches throughout the project.

Our main goals are 

• to identify barriers that prevent women faculty in STEM disciplines at MSU from consistently advancing in their careers, 
• to pilot equity strategies for systemic change, and 
• to develop a research-based and data-driven five-year equity strategic plan for STEM faculty at MSU.

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation through its ADVANCE program, as part of its Career-Balance Initiatives.