AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University's ADVANCE program will kick off its $3.3 million effort to support the careers of women in science, technology, engineering and math during a celebration at 5 p.m. Feb. 5 outside the Provost's Office in Beardshear Hall.
"We want to make the statement that this is a very important program for Iowa State University," said Susan Carlson, Iowa State's associate provost for faculty advancement and diversity and the principal investigator for the ADVANCE program. "We want people to know the program's goals are supported by the leaders of this institution."
Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy, Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Hoffman and Carlson will speak during the celebration. Remarks are scheduled for 5:15 p.m. in the rotunda area outside Beardshear Hall Room 1550. A reception will follow until 6:30 p.m.
The ADVANCE program is a five-year effort sponsored by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant will support research, development and implementation of programs that enhance the recruitment, retention and promotion of women scientists and engineers at Iowa State. More details are available at www.advance.iastate.edu.
Carlson said the program's overriding goal is to transform the university so Iowa State is a better place for women to build a career in science, technology, engineering and math.
But Carlson said those improvements won't come at the expense of others at Iowa State.
"This project is targeted at making this a better place for women to advance their careers," she said, "but it will also make this an optimal environment for all men and women in STEM fields."