ASPIRE Vision and Model for Change

Vision

The ASPIRE ICHANGE vision is to increase the learning, persistence, and completion of students from underrepresented groups (URG) in colleges and universities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to increase their contributions to the U.S. STEM enterprise.

Aspire will pursue three mutually reinforcing strategic goals:

  1. Deepen the preparation of all STEM faculty to be inclusive and effective in their undergraduate teaching, research mentoring, and advising;
  2. Diversify the faculty through effective recruitment, hiring, and retention of URG STEM faculty via institutional transformation in practices, policies, and resources;
  3. Foster institutional cultures that recognize and value inclusivity and diversity broadly, and in the context of STEM faculty work specifically.

The overarching strategy is to effect change by aligning and reinforcing both professional development and hiring practices of STEM faculty simultaneously at institutional, regional and national levels, and to do so through a social equity-based collective impact process.