UNC Wilmington has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch the “UNC-by-the-S.E.A. (STEM Equity Access)” project, an initiative designed to enhance the success and advancement of women faculty in STEM fields at UNCW.
The project will conduct a comprehensive self-assessment to uncover barriers and benefits to the success of women faculty, particularly focusing on women who are military-affiliated or first generation to college. By using an intersectional lens, the project will assess the current environment, identify best practices from peer institutions, and develop a culture that amplifies women’s attainment as STEM faculty, said Kate Nooner, lead principal investigator, psychology professor and senior associate dean in the College of Science and Engineering. The goal is to create a data-driven, five-year action plan to accelerate the progress of women faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines at UNCW and beyond.
“The opportunity to have a project that enhances success for women faculty in STEM fields is incredibly exciting,” said Nooner. “Working with my co-investigators, university leadership and other UNCW stakeholders to develop a robust plan to further support women faculty in STEM, especially those who are military-affiliated or were first-generation college students, should pay dividends for UNCW and our surrounding community.”
The university received more than $299,400 from the NSF ADVANCE Catalyst program to fund the project (Grant Number: 2427386).
“This grant is a crucial step towards enhancing gender diversity in STEM disciplines,” said James J. Winebrake, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs. “The in-depth research and discovery process will allow us to begin data collection and steadily work toward a more inclusive future. The potential impact of this work also extends well beyond our university by contributing, in the long run, to the economic vitality of our state and workforce development.”
The project team includes Ginger Rhodes, professor of mathematics in the College of Science and Engineering; Diana Ashe, professor of English in the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts; and Satlaj Dighe, assistant professor in educational leadership in the Watson College of Education. Rhodes and Ashe are both co-principal investigators, and Dighe is the project evaluator.
The team will use data collected from Harvard’s Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) survey, a faculty perception survey administered at UNCW in spring 2024, and a series of focus groups and qualitative interviews. These efforts will help identify themes that promote the success of female STEM faculty, said Nooner. The team will also study successful strategies from other ADVANCE institutions and the ADVANCE Resource Coordination network.
The UNC-by-the-S.E.A. Advisory Board, which includes representatives from the sciences, military affairs, first-generation programs, faculty senate, education, humanities and the Gender Studies and Research Center, will discuss specific findings, issues and strategies for moving the project forward. It will also support the development of the five-year action plan’s objectives.
“As the director of the Office of Military Affairs at UNCW, I am committed to supporting the proposed project aimed at addressing systemic gender inequities affecting our STEM faculty,” said Bill Kawczynski, who will serve on the project’s advisory board. “Our office will collaborate closely with the project leadership team. By working together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all STEM faculty at UNCW.”
The initiative represents a groundbreaking effort to advance understanding of how to promote success for women faculty in STEM disciplines. By focusing on women with military affiliations, first-generation college backgrounds and part-time faculty, the program aims to yield new insights into policies and practices that support women in STEM at UNCW and other institutions, said Nooner. The broader impact of the initiative is multifaceted, aiming to transform UNCW into a model of excellence for women in STEM, she added.
“We hope to see women faculty in STEM flourish in their careers, achieving leadership roles and greater visibility in their fields,” said Nooner. “I’m excited about the potential to support the professional growth of women faculty in STEM, helping them reach new heights in their research, teaching and service.”
