ADVANCE Project Summary

Overview

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) will conduct a self-assessment study to review the status of women faculty in STEM disciplines on campus.  This study, A Catalyst to ADVANCE the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic STEM Careers at Middle Tennessee State University will focus on identifying barriers that affect recruitment, retention, participation and promotion of women STEM faculty at MTSU.   Our goal is to identify best practices for the recruitment, retention and promotion of women STEM faculty and promote gender equity at MTSU. Our study will provide insight on the campus climate for women STEM faculty and administrators.  The activities will be directed by the Project’s Leadership Team (PLT) will provide answers to the following:

  1. What is the distribution of MTSU STEM faculty by gender, rank and department?
  2. What is the gender distribution of MTSU STEM faculty in leadership positions?
  3. What are the outcomes of the tenure and promotion process for MTSU STEM faculty?
  4. What is the allocation of resources for MTSU STEM faculty by gender?
  5. What are the processes that lead to divergent outcomes and resource allocation by gender in STEM disciplines at MTSU?
  6. Which policy changes could be implemented to improve the recruitment, retention, and promotion of STEM women at MTSU?

We will do the following: (1) Collection of institutional data; (2) Campus Climate Survey; (3) Campus Focus Groups; (4) Qualitative Interviews; and (5) Policy Review.  To summarize, our study of existing institutional data concerning hiring, promotion, and leadership coupled with our climate survey, focus groups and interviews, which will lead us to craft a path for necessary and effective institutional change. 

Several activities will be used to build institutional buy-in for this project. The University Provost is the PI on this project and will ensure the project has the resources required to succeed.  These are:  (1) MTSU ADVANCE Project Kick-Off; (2) Creating a Project Website and Social Media; (3) Dissemination of activities and results at Campus Forums, Campus Leadership Retreats, and at STEM Faculty Meetings; (4) Establishment of both Internal and External Advisory Boards to advice the project’s leadership team and (5) MTSU ADVANCE Conference to disseminate results and to explore next steps at the end of the project.

Intellectual Merit

The proposed study will advance knowledge about the