ASCEND: Advancing STEM Careers by Empowering Network Development

Purpose

Awarded $1,000,0000 in Fall 2019 from National Science Foundation ADVANCE program, ASCEND: Advancing STEM Careers by Empowering Network Development develops faculty change agents by providing education, training, and professional support to equip women for promotion and leadership positions, and university administrators to develop inclusive campus policies and cultures. Administrators work within ASCEND to drive institutional transformation by identifying, developing, and pursuing goals that reduce obstacles and increase the retention and advancement of a diverse faculty in STEM.

ASCEND creates environments at primarily undergraduate institutions that enable women STEM faculty to fully realize their careers. Through regional networks in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northwest participants are grouped to form Alliances composed of 4–5 faculty members in the same discipline, as well as an administrator Alliance, across different institutions. The Alliances meet monthly providing small group support to one another and develop connections at different institutions. All participants are offered networking and collaboration opportunities, education, training, resources, and professional support.

As “a rising tide lifts all boats,” this regional approach advances both faculty and institutions. By both developing women leaders among the faculty and empowering administrators to improve support policies and remove institutional obstacles to advance diverse faculty, ASCEND provides a model framework to create long-lasting change within the academy.