UNC Greensboro has been awarded a prestigious, $1 million ADVANCE grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
This three-year award will support the adaptation and implementation of proven organizational change strategies to promote gender equity inclusive of intersecting social identities such as race and ethnicity.
“We are delighted to have received this important award. It signals our ongoing commitment to all forms of equity and provides resources to help us achieve our desired outcomes.” said Dr. Dana Dunn, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.
Using a data analytic approach, coupled with focus group data and incorporating evidence-based
practices, UNCG has committed to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic
science careers, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering
workforce. While the focus of the grant is to address aspects of STEM academic culture and institutional
structure that may differentially affect women faculty and academic administrators, UNCG views this
grant as an opportunity to enhance our commitment to a diverse professoriate across all disciplines.
The ADVANCE program activities also include key allies necessary for achieving true culture change.
Under the leadership of the principal investigator, Provost Dunn, the ADVANCE team brings together a
diverse group of co-principal investigators including: Dr. Ayesha Boyce, Assistant Professor of
Educational and Research Methodology (ERM); Dr. Shelly Brown-Jeffy, Associate Professor of Sociology;
Dr. Cerise L. Glenn, Director of African American and African Diaspora Studies and Associate Professor
of Communication Studies, Dr. Julie Mendez Smith, inaugural Chancellor’s Fellow for Campus Climate
and Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Terri Shelton, Carol Jenkins Mattocks Distinguished Professor and
Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement. The UNCG ADVANCE team is rounded out with Provost
Faculty Fellow, 2019-2020, Professor Steve Haines; the Office of Sponsored Programs’ Associate Director
of Proposal Development Services Dr. Aubrey Turner and Proposal Development Specialist Julie
Voorhees; Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement Dr. Kimberly Littlefield, and ERM
Visiting Assistant Professor Dr. Aileen Reid.
There will be a robust set of activities as part of this transformative initiative including a website that will
update the campus on activities and resources, support for ongoing implicit bias training particularly for
search committees, and reviews of barriers and innovative solutions to achieving work/life balance
while advancing in promotion and tenure among others.
All activities and initiatives will be internally and externally evaluated.
A fall launch event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Virginia Dare Room, Alumni House.
“We urge all UNCG faculty to attend and learn more about how they can support this important work,” said Provost Dunn.
