Women’s Advisory Council

UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative

Women’s Advisory Council

Call for Applications 2024-2025 are not open at this time; however, review expectations below as you prepare your application materials. 

Application Deadline: mid-February

The UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative Planning Team seeks applications for the Women’s Advisory Council, which will start spring/summer of the respective academic year. 

The Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) is a critical part of the UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative. The WAC selects and oversees the Men’s Equity Advocates (Advocates), directs content for Men’s Equity Allies sessions, and informs men of climate issues as it pertains to women. Accountability over the Advocates is a critical task of the WAC, as is establishing a clear hierarchy with respect to this initiative. Advocates are a group of men-identified faculty, staff and administrators interested in learning from women faculty and staff members in departments, colleges, and the university in order to create equitable treatment at UD. 

Members of the WAC are expected to be active proponents of gender diversity and equity, as members of the WAC may need to speak out, challenge departmental, college, or university culture, and/or question administrators. Members should have sufficient job protection and supervisory support to shield them from a critique of their engagement in this initiative.

We recognize that not all people identify as "man" or "woman", so if you identify outside of the gender binary, please know that you are welcome to apply to either group that you are most interested in joining.

Total number of positions available: To Be Determined

Duration: Three year term, starting in the spring/summer of the academic year following selection.

Eligibility: The WAC seeks representation from across the university in a variety of roles; applications from women-identified faculty (tenure-track and lecturers), staff (exempt and non-exempt) and administrators are encouraged. Other requirements include: interest in being supportive of gender diversity and equity through committee work, teaching, research, or informal actions within your department, college, or the university as a whole; awareness of the dynamics of institutional and structural bias and privilege; and willingness to offer critical feedback to men advocates and the institution at-large. 

Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Attend and actively participate in meetings
• Think broadly about the needs of University women 
• Welcoming developmental conversations with the Advocates
• Serve as either a mentor for an advocate for 1 academic year or serve as chair or co-chair on a committee or subcommittee with the WAC during the four year term
• Attend Women’s Advisory Council training session in spring/summer 
• Solicit and review nominations for Advocates and Advocate Coordinator roles
• Provide critical feedback, guidance, and assessment of curricular materials for the Equity Allies Workshops, as well as pedagogical tools/methods to improve facilitation 
• Assist in planning and/or facilitating continuing education opportunities for Equity Allies and the Advocates
• Update campus community on the initiative, including ensuring women across campus are aware of the initiative
• Participate in key UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative events

Benefits:  

• Professional development  
• Networking with other women across campus and with men allies and advocates  
• Ability to participate in institutional transformation

Application: Please check back during this academic year for more information. 

Contact: Individuals should contact the WAC at UDMenforGenderEquity@udayton.edu with any questions or concerns. 

About the UD Men for Gender Equity Initiative:

Founded at North Dakota State University (NDSU), Advocates and Allies Men Faculty Gender Equity Initiative focuses on developing men’s gender equity knowledge, skills, and strategies to affect positive personal, departmental, and institutional change. The initiative also focuses on building a network of men allies who are committed to gender equity and a cadre of advocates trained to facilitate workshops. The NSF-funded initiative has since expanded beyond its original STEM focus to other disciplines and has been adopted by numerous universities. 

UD Men* for Gender Equity is an opportunity for men to increase their gender equity knowledge, skills, and strategies to affect positive personal and departmental change and enhance institutional inclusive excellence. We seek to build a network of men-identified allies among the faculty and staff who will commit to taking an active role in gender equity at UD.

• Equity Allies:  Men faculty and staff who attend a two- hour workshop facilitated by the Advocates (initially or an external facilitator) and then participate in ongoing professional development, through voluntary workshop opportunities. The Allies serve as proponents for gender equity in their departments and units, modeling inclusive actions.

• Equity Advocates:  Men faculty and staff who participate in a two- day train-the-trainer style workshop, and then work to continue campus engagement and education for themselves and others, on issues of gender equity while also serving as proponents of gender equity in their departments and units. Equity Advocates are accountable to the Women’s Advisory Council, which oversees the initiative.

*We recognize that not all people identify as "man" or "woman", so if you identify outside of the gender binary, please know that you are welcome to apply to the group that is best connected to your identity and/or lived experience.

Together, the Equity Advocates and Allies, in consultation with the Women’s Advisory Council, work to be agents of change by committing to actively engaging as vocal proponents of gender diversity and equity. Equity Advocates are accountable to the Women’s Advisory Council.