ACES

The Academic Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program at Case seeks to contribute to the development of a national science and engineering workforce that includes the full participation of women at all levels of faculty and academic leadership. ACES is a multifaceted initiative that operates simultaneously on two levels: 1) Leadership and endorsement of the program from a new management team of President, Provost, and University Vice President, and Deputy Provost and Vice President for Academic Programs, each of whom has already demonstrated a strong personal commitment to women's advancement and diversity; and 2) Resources to create the opportunity for individual science and engineering faculty members, department chairs, and deans to participate in the institution's commitment to change.

The ACES program is funded by generous support from the National Science Foundation which funds grants to support academic institutional transformation to promote the increased participation and advancement of women scientists and engineers in academe. Over the five-year period of the Case grant, the ACES program will be implemented in two phases. Phase I that is now complete comprised the deans, chairs, faculty, and students in the four pilot departments (Chemistry, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Organizational Behavior, and Physiology & Biophysics) participating in initiatives which included intensive coaching, mentoring, networking, and training and development. An extension of the best practices is taking place in Phase II, currently with 10 more departments (Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Geology, Marketing & Policy Studies, Mathematics, Molecular Biology & Microbiology, and Political Science) and eventually all 31 ACES departments. As we specifically target our efforts through ACES to improve the participation and leadership of women faculty in science and engineering disciplines, simultaneously these efforts will improve the overall campus climate for all faculty and all university members, including our students and staff. For further information on ACES, go to http://www.case.edu/admin/aces.