A Multi-Organizational Network’s Evolving Efforts to Diversify the STEM Professoriate

Abstract

Multi-organizational networks are increasingly understood as powerful levers for inducing change in higher education, particularly for fostering more diverse and inclusive organizations. Yet, there is limited scholarship on how these networks successfully change colleges and universities. This case study follows the evolution of one network effort, tracing how its theory of action changed over time. Through a close examination of semi-structured interviews and case-related artifacts, we generated a rich picture of network leadership, learning, and implementation. Future network leaders and funders will find this work useful. Scholars, too, will find that our work responds to numerous calls to examine how data-driven and equity-focused change efforts are successfully sustained in postsecondary education.