Strategic Plan: July 2024 Update
Review the initiatives AWIS has implemented in the last six months and how they map to the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan priorities.
Priority #1:
Cultivating
and Expanding Partnerships
AWIS CEO, Meredith Gibson, was invited to participate on a panel at the 2024 American BioManufacturing Summit — garnering visibility for AWIS at this annual gathering of over 200 executives.
AWIS initiated a campaign with the National Science Teacher Association to recognize teachers and professors who make a lasting impact on students. Dozens of AWIS members shared stories about those who inspired and guided them into STEM careers. #BecauseTeachers
Priority #2:
Equity for all
Women and Girls
Two AWIS members were selected to be our inaugural Advocacy Scholars. They attended the AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop in Washington, DC then met with key offices on Capitol Hill. They will also chair the AWIS Advocacy Taskforce for the coming year.
AWIS awarded nine scholarships totaling $29,500 including four first-generation scholarships to support students whose parent or caregiver had not completed a college degree and two career re-entry scholarships for women who had been temporarily out of the STEM workforce.
Priority #3:
Deepening Connectivity
through DEI
AWIS hosted several roundtables for HR and diversity leaders to identify the challenges they face and share best practices including strategies to engage leadership, tools for building empathy, and ways to measure DEI programming results.
For Women’s History Month, AWIS hosted a book giveaway for Women in Science Now: How to Use Science to Overcome the Remaining Hurdles to Equity and a webinar discussion with the author Lisa M.P. Munoz.
AWIS reinforced our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in a revised statement that uses stronger and more current language to explain how DEIB aligns with our values and goals, supports the AWIS mission, and impacts society.
AWIS shared a case study detailing the results that Arizona State University achieved for a cohort of 66 people using The Inclusion Habit — a 90-day experiential learning program to change employee behaviors over time.
Priority #4:
Elevating
AWIS Chapters
Ten AWIS chapters received “Shooting Star” awards in recognition of their outstanding initiatives in 2023. These awards include a small grant to help continue programs which align with the AWIS mission.
Catalent awarded AWIS a grant to support member professional development and networking at chapters located near several of their offices in the U.S.