NSF-ADVANCE at Missouri State

ADVANCE Adaption Proposal

We have submitted an ADVANCE Adaption proposal to the NSF in October 2023 for the period 2024-2027. We will post updates soon.

ADVANCE Catalyst Project

As part of our ADVANCE Catalyst Project (2019-2022), Missouri State University conducted 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 included 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 received 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 used intersectional approaches throughout the project.

Our main goals were 

• 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 was funded by the National Science Foundation through its ADVANCE program, as part of its Career-Balance Initiatives.