ADVANCE encourages search committees to utilize the best-practices materials and web-tutorial we have compiled to help ensure a fair, equitable, and successful search. Additionally, representatives from the ADVANCE Recruitment Committee are available to visit search committees at any point in the search process — preferably, the sooner the better — to offer a short presentation and best-practices search materials.

We have developed the following resources for search committees’ use:

The heart of the URI ADVANCE program has been to increase the representation of women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines through a unique recruitment program. In the Fall of 2003, there were 45 full-time ranked women faculty in the STEM and SBS (social and behavioral sciences) fields, representing about 16.5% of STEM/SBS faculty. Our 5-year goal was to increase that number by 10, and by 15 over the subsequent 5-year period, for a total increase in representation after 10 years to 20%. Our approach has included (1) education about best practices in recruiting for diversity, and (2) recruitment funding opportunities.

By the end of Academic Year 2006, we surpassed our goal. Not only did we fund 10 new hires, we also facilitated the hiring of several other women in the STEM/SBS disciplines, due in some or large part to the emphasis we placed on faculty diversity. The percentage of STEM/SBS women who are ranked faculty now stands at 21.7%.

We achieved some of our educational goals through the tools below. Additionally, we have compiled a variety of Recruitment Web Resources to aid in your recruiting efforts.