Jackson State University has received a $749,273 grant from the National Science Foundation to expand its ADVANCE Women of Color Summer Writing Retreat (SWR) to six other minority-serving institutions. The project will promote the scholarly activities of women of color faculty in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the social and behavioral sciences. The funding will support the creation of a five-year learning network among JSU and Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Norfolk State University, Winston Salem State University and the University of the Virgin Islands.
“Our SWR has helped JSU’s female STEM faculty make scholarly writing and publishing a priority. The program has helped create a more inclusive academic environment and community of scholars for the university,” said Dr. Loretta Moore, vice president for Research and Federal Relations.
“This grant will allow us to expand that work to our partnering universities to create an environment for women STEM faculty to be successful there.”
Moore worked with Dr. Evelyn Leggette, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, and Deidre L. Wheaton, assistant professor of continuing education, on the grant proposal. Dr. Ala R. Qubbaj, vice provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), called the project an exciting partnership.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our STEM women faculty to network with their peers at the partner institutions, receive coaching and guidance in successful writing and complete a writing project. As an ADVANCE institution, UTRGV is committed to increasing the representation and advancement of STEM women and to the retention and success of all our faculty. This partnership will be key in achieving those goals.”