SUPPORTING WOMEN FACULTY IN STEM AT PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS (PUIS) VIA INTER-INSTITUTIONAL AFFINITY GROUPS

Women faculty are underrepresented in STEM fields at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), particularly at higher academic ranks. Women with historically marginalized identities are further underrepresented. One noted barrier is isolation, which can be accentuated at PUIs with small departments and/or remote locations. To reduce isolation and promote networking, we created inter-institutional virtual "Affinity groups" for women faculty and underrepresented faculty in STEM in the 30-institution consortium The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). We followed the experiences of participants over a three-year period to determine how such networks could contribute to career advancement. In addition, we examined models of construction and identified factors that contributed to group success. Most participants reported that the groups alleviated aspects of isolation, provided advice for career and life challenges, and generated tangible results for career advancement. Groups have continued in a modified format without oversight from the project's leaders, indicating sustainability. Results demonstrate that inter-institutional networking was useful in supporting the success of underrepresented faculty in STEM at these PUIs and suggest that inter-institutional networks could contribute positively to the careers of underrepresented faculty at other institutions.