Professor Joyce Wong to Step Down as Director of BU ARROWS; Call for Nominations and Applications for Next Director
From Dr. Kenneth Lutchen, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim
Dr. Joyce Y. Wong, who has served as the inaugural director of BU ARROWS (Advance, Recruit, Retain & Organize Women in STEM) since the program’s inception in 2014, has announced that she will be stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. Dr. Wong, a highly distinguished professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering and current president of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, has led ARROWS with distinction over the last nine years, developing a rich roster of programming, special events, and educational opportunities; further aligning and building communities of faculty and student researchers; working actively to elevate the accomplishments and voices of women in STEM at BU; and helping ensure the pipeline of talent continues to grow through recruitment, mentoring, and professional development. Successful initiatives launched during Dr. Wong’s directorship have included the annual ARROWS Lecture, national recognition through the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s SEA Change Initiative for BU’s work to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, and programs like the Mary Erskine Funding Awards to further the career advancement of women STEM faculty. Dr. Wong leaves ARROWS on strong footing and well-positioned for future success, and we thank her for her vision and leadership.
The Office of the Provost invites nominations and applications from the BU professoriate for the position of director of ARROWS. The mission of ARROWS is to organize, align, and vertically integrate programs created to advance women throughout the STEM community at Boston University.
The next director of ARROWS will have an opportunity build on the advances of this signature initiative, working collaboratively at the University and unit level to further develop the variety of activities, groups, and support mechanisms for women in STEM across our campuses. This will include direct work with relevant deans and department chairs – as the provost’s designee – to help grow and sustain pro-active efforts ensuring greater representation of women faculty in these fields. The director will also oversee a portfolio of opportunities to raise awareness about issues affecting women in STEM fields, including: professional development workshops and skills-building exercises; lectures, seminars and panels featuring leaders inside and outside of BU; information sessions to advertise resources and funding opportunities; and forums for discussing and applying best practices concerning women in these areas of study.
Competitive candidates will have:
- Excellent scholarly credentials;
- A demonstrated commitment to STEM research and education;
- Experience in a significant administrative role;
- A record of advocating for and supporting the success of women in STEM;
- The ability to articulate the mission and value of ARROWS to various groups, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, faculty, University leadership, and national stakeholders;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different academic fields and with administrative units around the University; and
- A commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant, diverse community of students, staff, and faculty.
Candidates should hold the rank of associate or full professor with tenure, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The appointment is for a three-year renewable term, with an intended start date of July 1, 2024. The position is part-time and includes a faculty stipend. Applications should include a CV; a cover letter addressing the candidate’s interest in and qualifications for the position; and names, email addresses and phone numbers of at least three references. If you would like to nominate a colleague to be considered for this position, we ask that you please include a formal letter of nomination and a CV for that individual.
Please submit nominations and applications to Gina Ford in the Office of the Provost (gford@bu.edu). For best consideration, all application materials should be received by February 1, 2024.