Innovative STEM Women Improving Our Everyday Lives Changing the World

Dishwasher Josephine Cochran—1886

Windshield Wiper Mary Anderson—1903

First Leukemia Fighting Drug Dr. Gertrude Elion—1954

Liquid Paper Bette Nesmith Graham—1958

Kevlar Stephanie Kwolek—1964

Disposable Diaper Marion Donovan –1949

One Laptop Per Child Mary Lou Jepsen– 2000s

Aquovate Converts air into pure, drinkable water Olivia Lum—2004

This Material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. HRD-1209115

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

“The underrepresentation of women is also a critical issue, for the nation at large, as its need to develop a globally competitive and diverse workforce increases.” - National Science Foundation (NSF)

“Attracting and retaining more women in the science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics

(STEM) workforce will

maximize innovation,

creativity, and competitiveness.”

- Dr. Laura Hoopes

This Material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. HRD-1209115

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

“If we’re going to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world, we’ve got to open doors for everyone. We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.” - First Lady Michelle Obama

“If membership in The Explorers Club is restricted to men, the loss will be ours; we will only be depriving ourselves.” - Carl Sagan

Is having more women faculty in STEM/SBS

important?

YES!

 

NSF ADVANCE Connect@RIT Creating Opportunity Networks for Engagement and

Collective Transformation at RIT

This Material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. HRD-1209115

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

Connect@RIT Goal Increase the representation, recruitment, retention, and

advancement of women faculty at RIT

Strategic Approach Areas Structural (S) Political (P) Human Resources (HR) Symbolic (Sy)

To achieve this goal, the project has been broken into four strategic approach areas, complemented by three specialized areas.

Specialized Areas Women of Color (WoC) Social Networking Behavior (SNB) Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH)

For more information, visit our website

www.nsfadvance.rit.edu

Over the course of the 5-year, $3.2 million grant, Connect@RIT is engaging in over 20 initiatives to achieve the project goal. Here are some highlights: Faculty Mentoring (HR) - Collaborate with the Wallace Center to refine and create new

faculty mentoring network opportunities. Connectivity Series (HR) - Demonstrate how to build networks and leverage resources and

to achieve career goals, with collaborative support from the Wallace Center. Eminent Scholars Program (Sy) - Pair early-career RIT female faculty members with

prominent senior faculty from other institutions to foster mentoring and collaboration. Department Head Grants (P) - Financially support creative department-level efforts

proposed by department heads that align with Connect@RIT goals. WoC and D/HH Focus Groups - Conduct focus group research to understand lived

experiences and refine programming to meet faculty needs.