A recent study by the National Academy of Sciences showed that mentoring had a profound impact on the ability of women in academia to get grants, which in turn increases their chances of promotion and tenure. As a result, NAS issued a call to action for research institutions to initiate mentoring programs for new faculty.

NAS was commissioned by Congress to assess gender differences in the careers of science, engineering and mathematics faculty. The study examined women’s participation and representation in the hiring process, professional activities, tenure, and promotions in science, engineering and math (SEM) disciplines.

It found that 93% of women with mentors had a probability of receiving grant funding versus 68% women with no mentor. It also found that 49% of the males and 57% of the females had a mentor.

The paper, Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, notes that “Institutional mentoring programs could help ensure that female faculty acquire grant funding, which in turn should have a positive effect on their promotion rates.” You can download the full study here.

On Friday, February 26, 2010, President Barack Obama signed an executive order to bolster the efforts of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

During the signing ceremony, Obama said, “This initiative originated in President Carter’s administration; it expanded under President Reagan; and its been renewed by each President since, to help these schools give their students every chance to live up to their full potential.” Dr. John S. Wilson will lead the Obama Administration’s efforts to partner with federal departments, agencies and offices. Wilson is chairman of the advisory board and a graduate of the historically black college Morehouse University.

Access the full Executive Order here.

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