Reception, poster presentations conclude NSF grant project

About 100 people celebrated the successful conclusion of a three-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation grant program aimed at increasing representation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) academic careers.

Shaily Menon and Kathleen Underwood, principal investigators of the NSF ADVANCE project, told the audience on June 24 that although the grant ends, much of its work will continue through research projects, collaborations and networking programs.

The project has been a partnership with the University of Michigan; it addressed key areas aimed at faculty recruitment and retention, professional development funding and networking. A collaborative pipeline was also established between Grand Valley and U-M to target U-M STEM doctoral students and encourage them to teach courses at GVSU.

The pipeline made it possible for Lindsey Waddell, U-M post-doctoral student, to teach in Grand Valley’s geology department. She will continue as a visiting assistant professor this fall.

“Through the pipeline, students at Grand Valley then interact with doctoral candidates and have younger role models,” said Underwood, associate professor of history and director of the Women and Gender Studies program. “Doctoral candidates have an opportunity to teach in a liberal education environment.”

Menon, associate professor and chair of biology, detailed the faculty committee charged with helping recruitment committees increase gender diversity. She said the STRIDE committee gave presentations to about 130 faculty and staff members.

Also through the project, 25 women faculty members in STEM fields received professional development grants to help continue specific research projects. Many gave poster presentations during a reception in the DeVos Center.