USU Celebrates Completion of Six-Year NSF Grant

A reception hosted by Utah State University President Stan Albrecht and First Lady Joyce Albrecht will be held at the president’s home to celebrate the completion of the National Science Foundation ADVANCE Grant. For the past six years, the grant has aided in the advancement of women through the ranks of the university.

The reception will held at the Albrecht’s home Tuesday, May 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. An official closing ceremony takes place at 5:30 p.m., where the president, provost and the grant’s principle investigator Christine Hult will recap the six-year project and thank all those who aided in its success.

 

“Everyone is invited to attend this event,” Hult said. “We’re happy to visit with those who wish to learn more about the grant and hope to thank those who made the project a success.”

 

Through the NSF ADVANCE Grant, also known as the Institutional Transformation Grant, Utah State managed to double the number of woman in science and engineering on campus. The number of woman who achieved full professor also rose dramatically thanks to the grant, Hult said. In addition, the grant funded multiple projects, including a daycare that is currently in the works, something Hult said was essential to attracting more women to Utah State.

 

“We wanted to establish a place where women felt comfortable leaving their children so they could pursue their professional careers,” Hult said. “President Albrecht and his wife, Joyce, played a big role in raising the funds and support for this project.”

 

The ADVANCE program at Utah State is designed to support workplace initiatives and improve gender equality and faculty effectiveness. The program emphasizes the advancement of science and engineering and works to include women in higher levels of academic administration.

 

Due to the success of the ADVANCE Grant, USU received another grant from the NSF that will help the university pick up where it left off in its efforts to advance women’s roles at Utah State, Hult said.

 

For those attending the reception, RSVP with David Christensen at (435) 890-8269, or by email at dm.christensen@usu.edu.