JSUAdvance hosted the visit of two NSF Project Directors and had several focus group discussions with various constituents during their visit –
The JSUAdvance team invited and was visited on November 30 – December 1, 2010 by NSF Program Officers Dr. Kelly Mack (NSF ADVANCE Program Director) and Dr. Claudia Rankins (NSF HBCU-UP Program Director). The meetings were held with the JSUAdvance Leadership Team, the Implementation Team, SBS and STEM female faculty, SBS and STEM Department Chairs, as well as administrators, including a brief meeting with the newly appointed President, Dr. Carolyn Meyers. In meeting with the Implementation Team, Dr. Mack stated that JSUAdvance should “Create an environment or culture that is conducive to everyone’s growth.” She informed the group that NSF was most impressed with the components of the proposal, especially the Writing Retreat because it addressed a specific strategy. Also, the proposed initiatives did not just address junior female faculty, but senior female faculty and the entire campus. The idea of partnering with other HBCUs in the state was also considered a highlight. A significant aspect of Drs. Mack and Rankins visit was the conversations with STEM and SBS female faculty. While the female STEM faculty members have hosted luncheons and roundtable discussions on issues related to their advancement within the academy, it was significant in that the goal of the ADVANCE program is to seek solutions to those issues and the presence of NSF Program Directors made the conversation even more noteworthy.