THE ADVANCE MENTORING-FOR-LEADERSHIP LUNCH SERIES FOR WOMEN FACULTY IN STEM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Abstract

Given the increasingly smaller number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields as one progresses through the academic pipeline, it is often very difficult for women in STEM faculty positions to find a community of women and identify women mentors, especially at the upper rungs of the academic ladder. Group mentoring opportunities are one strategy to connect women STEM faculty and generate greater interest and success in academic leadership. In 2003 the University of Washington (UW) ADVANCE program introduced the Mentoring-for-Leadership lunch series to encourage women faculty to consider leadership; expose women faculty to various career paths; and build a community of women faculty in STEM. This paper describes the UW program, the literature that informs the program, and the participants' experiences. This paper also offers recommendations for replicating this program at other campuses.