Who we are
The First2 Network is one of eight Alliances across the country funded through the NSF INCLUDES initiative. The First2 Network (First2) aims to improve the college enrollment rate and success of undergraduate STEM students, with emphasis on rural first-generation students through their first 2 years of college. At the core of our shared vision to improve student STEM success is the assumption that the students themselves should be co-creators of the solutions.
We started out as a pilot project in 2016, funded by the National Science Foundation. We had reviewed the literature on STEM student success, and learned that nationally, 50% of the students who start out with a STEM major, change that major or drop out of college during the first 2 years of their post secondary education, and the statistic is worse for first generation students. Here in West Virginia, we have a lot of first generation college students. Understanding the obstacles that face first gen STEM students, and changing the systems that produce these obstacles became our charge. We tried some “best practices” out with a group of brave students. Some of them, like immersing students in research the summer before they start college seemed to have a positive effect of students’ views of themselves as future STEM professionals.
What we do
- Create a new way to do business. Not “to” students; not ”for” students; but “with” students, we explore ways to improve the college STEM experience.
- Connect pockets of good work and successful programs that improve the persistence of first generation STEM students.
- Continuously test our ideas using a Networked Improvement Community model.
- Conduct educational research to understand the factors that affect rural first generation students’ entry into and persistence in STEM career pathways
- Foster new partnerships and programs addressing STEM success in West Virginia
- Support and grow a robust network across West Virginia and other Rural states like ours.
How do I get involved?
The problem is complex, and there are many many innovative programs in our State that are chipping away at it. We need to join forces and amplify these “pockets of good work”.
Want to join the First2 Network?

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Project leadership members
Backbone Organizations
Division of Science & Research, West Virginia Higher Education Policy commission (HEPC)
Dr. Juliana Serafin
Jade Irving
Angela Sundstrom
Dr. Jack Smith
SRI International
Louise Yarnell
Jared Boyce
Evaluation
ICF International
Dr. Caitlin Howley
Johnavae Campbell
Dr. Kim Cowley
PIs and Project Leaders
Fairmont State University
Dr. Erica Harvey
Green Bank Observatory
Sue Ann Heatherly
High Rocks Educational Corporation
Sarah Riley
Samantha Mitchell
West Virginia University
Dr. Gay Stewart
Dr. Marjorie Darrah
Dr. John Stewart
First2 Campuses
Glenville State College
Dr. Sara Sawyer
Marshall University
Dr. Michael Norton
Fairmont State University
Dr. Deb Hemler
West Virginia University
Dr. Michelle Richards-Babb
University of Charleston
Dr. Heather Arnett
Blue Ridge CTC
Dr. Ann Shipway
WV State University
Dr. Micheal Fultz
WVU-Tech
Dr. Kenan Hatipoglu