With the support of a $1 million ADVANCE ADAPTATION grant from the National Science Foundation, the goal of the project “Re-envisioning Inclusive and Sustainable Excellence (RISE): Advancing Women in STEM at Old Dominion University” will boost university efforts focused on eliminating gender and race disparities on campus. The grant is focused on increasing the numbers of women, especially women of color, in STEM disciplines. Using evidence-based strategies from previous ADVANCE programs, RISE will employ new initiatives on campus designed to promote a more inclusive environment where faculty, particularly women in STEM, can thrive.

RISE recognizes the importance of the intersectionality of race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nation, ability, and age in shaping social inequalities. These inequalities influence recruitment, hiring, tenure and promotion, and contribute to difficult department climates.

RISE is designed to:

  1. Increase the recruitment and hiring of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty;
  2. Increase the tenure and promotion of women, particularly women of color, STEM faculty; and,
  3. Improve departmental climate to enhance inclusivity.

The RISE Project seeks to achieve sustainable change that will transform ’s campus community into one that embraces a vibrant and diverse STEM faculty.

NSF ADVANCE Program

The is designed to foster gender equity through a focus on the identification and elimination of organizational barriers that impede the full participation and advancement of diverse faculty in academic institutions. Organizational barriers that inhibit equity may exist in policies, processes, practices, and the organizational culture and climate. ADVANCE ADAPTATION awards provide support for the adaptation and adoption of evidence-based strategies to academic, non-profit institutions of higher education as well as non-academic, non-profit organizations.

U.S. National Science Foundation

Celebrating Women Faculty at

Explore a captivating timeline highlighting key moments and just some of the remarkable women who shattered barriers and helped shape our Monarch community.