Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders gave the keynote address at the launch event of a new U of A program supporting women faculty.

The program, UA ENGAGE (Empowering Networked Groups for Arkansas Gender Equity), is funded by a $1 million ADVANCE grant from the National Science Foundation to better recruit and retain women and women of color faculty within STEM departments.

Introductory remarks for the launch event were provided by the principal investigator of the NSF grant Shauna Morimoto, associate professor and vice-chair of sociology and criminology, and interim Chancellor Charles Robinson.

In her keynote, Elders recounted her life's story, from her childhood in rural Arkansas, to her studies at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, to her tenure as head of the Arkansas Department of Health, to her service as the first Black and second woman ever to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. Elders spoke of the importance of the mentors and role models who supported her throughout her life and career.

UA ENGAGE also launched its website at uaengage.uark.edu. The website is updated frequently with learning opportunities, announcements and resources. A video recording of the launch event is also available on the homepage, in addition to a recent podcast with Morimoto and Anne O'Leary-Kelly, professor of management and senior associate dean in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.