Seventeen faculty from twelve ACA institutions gathered in Bristol, TN at King University May 23-24th for a two-day grant-writing workshop facilitated by Lincoln-Memorial University’s Office of Research, Grants, and Sponsored Programs’ Executive Director, Natalie Sweet. This second workshop, part of a two-part series, complemented ACCE’s first web-based professional development session held in January 2024. As the final Spring 2024 professional development opportunity, this hands-on workshop provided participants not only extensive and in-depth grant-writing process knowledge, but it also afforded time and space for participants to draft and edit a variety of already identified non-profit, state, and federal grant opportunities. Sweet, a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators, was thrilled to learn about the opportunities already of interest to participants. She reflected, “Exciting projects are taking place within the ACA - and there is a strong desire for collaboration across institutions. I saw some collaborative thinking taking place at the workshop, and I hope to see it grow in the coming year.”
Grant-writing skill development was a priority for Beth Rushing, ACA President, when organizing the ACCE’s first semester of faculty professional development. She noted, “ACA faculty have interesting research, teaching, and professional projects that will be of interest to funders. This workshop was designed to help them learn how to navigate the grants landscape with greater confidence and knowledge.” Given ACCE’s goal to enhance the career trajectories of individual women and underrepresented minorities in STEM faculty positions at ACA institutions, this workshop was specifically designed to assist ACA faculty in their grant-writing knowledge and skillset. “The biggest takeaway that I hope attendees left with was the belief that they could, in fact, submit and gain a grant,” noted Sweet. “So often, grant application is cloaked in mystery, and that often results in people feeling like there is some big secret that they should know before they can pursue a grant. The reality is that faculty and staff already have the skill sets necessary to apply - they just need guidance on how to go for it.”
Since returning to their host institutions, several participants reflected upon the value of such programming. Ashley Held, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Milligan University, shared, “I'm always open to new, research-backed instructional techniques in the classroom. I had been thinking about going after a grant for some time but knew so little about how to get started in the grant writing process. This workshop's simple description appealed to me.” Similarly, Robert Musick, Chaplain/Instructor of Religious Studies at the University of Pikeville (UPIKE), noted, “There is so much to learn, but also, it can be learned. For far too long, I never even thought about a grant because it felt out of my league, yet this workshop helped me see that it is possible.” With increased knowledge of the variety of grant-writing opportunities available not only for research but also teaching and special projects, participants left with tools and a larger community to assist them in their current and future grant-writing opportunities. As Christopher Potvin, Assistant Professor of Math and Data Science at Warren Wilson College, commented, “You are not alone! You can find help from sources you might not have originally thought of, maybe in advancement, marketing or finance to name a few.”
ACA faculty will have additional opportunities to benefit from the ACCE grant. As senior leaders for the grant organize the Fall 2024 professional development series, grant-writing remains a strategic skillset to expand. “Not only do grant applicants need continued training on the grant application process, but truly, their upper administration needs an understanding of the policies and procedures that need to be in place to accept and manage grants,” noted Sweet. “This is an area that I am working on at my own institution, and I would be eager to provide guidance on this to others, too. Building a strong cohort of research administrators within the ACA would benefit not just one institution, but all.” Such collaborative efforts underscore the value and benefit of ACA membership.
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Program, Award #2304868 aims to address the significant challenge of hiring and retaining women and underrepresented minorities in STEM faculty positions, particularly at small rural institutions in the Appalachian region. As a non-profit consortium of 33 private four-year liberal arts institutions, the Appalachian College Association (ACA) serves Appalachian communities through the transformational work of its faculty, staff, and students. The National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program is aimed at increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers, thereby developing a more diverse science and engineering workforce. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.
