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First2: Welcoming All Students as Leaders
All students who participate in the First2 Network are regarded as student leaders; their voices, opinions, and insights are central to our work and help change systems and practices that hinder STEM student success.
We provide support to students who are advocating for changes in institutional policies and practices in higher education, we involve participants in decision-making alongside key stakeholders (such as college presidents, faculty, legislators, and community leaders), and foster early professional experiences.
Have questions? Let’s chat: first2studentcoordinator@gmail.com.
Student Involvement:
Students who participate in the First2 Network are members of an institutional team on their campus that is composed of students, STEM faculty, and additional members of their campus community. Each institutional team is coached to utilize an improvement science approach to test high-impact practices – “change ideas” – that improve retention of rural, first-generation, and low-income students in STEM fields. We elevate students to be the agents of defining, implementing, and testing changes towards improvement within their own experience, between their near peers, and across the institutions that serve them. This shift from being “the served” to being collaborators provides deep insight into systemic barriers that are felt, seen, and experienced by rural, first generation, and low-income students within their systems.
First2 students, as part of the institutional team on their campus, will play a key role in managing and operating a student-run campus club (see below).
Students can also apply for a paid position (see below) in the First2 Network.
Campus Clubs:
Campus clubs focus on connecting students in STEM majors to one another (as well as other students and faculty) to increase students’ sense of belongingness in ways that ultimately support their overall academic success. Club activities encompass a range of opportunities such as fellowship, guest speakers, professional development, resume-building, and networking.
First2 campus club officers are responsible for organizing activities, assessing their impact, keeping a budget and providing feedback to the network.
Presently, clubs are active at:
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Fairmont State University
- Glenville State University
- Marshall University
- Shepherd University
- University of Charleston
- West Virginia University
- WVU Institute of Technology
Paid Student Positions:
First2 offers various student positions, which each come with a financial stipend, to better understand and optimize the impact of our activities on student success.
- Student Directors: The Student Director position with the First2 Network involves active participation and leadership in meetings, conferences, and outreach activities during the school year with institutional teams, students, and other stakeholders. This role is essential for fostering community, professional development, and the dissemination of improvement science methodologies within the network.
- Assistant Directors: The Assistant Student Director position with the First2 Network involves supporting the Student Directors in their leadership roles during the school year. This position requires active participation in meetings, conferences, and outreach activities with institutional teams, students, and other stakeholders. Assistant Student Directors are expected to learn from the Student Directors through direct involvement and mentorship, preparing them to potentially step into these leadership roles in the future.
- Summer Student Directors: Summer Student Directors play a crucial role in organizing and executing various onboarding and orientation activities to support new students and institutional team members. This position requires a proactive individual with strong organizational and communication skills to ensure a smooth transition into the academic year.
- Year-Round AmeriCorps Student Directors: Year-Round AmeriCorps Student Directors within the First2 Network play a crucial role in organizing, executing, and mentoring various onboarding, orientation, leadership, and community engagement activities. This position requires proactive individuals with strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills to support new students, institutional team members, and the broader STEM community.
Interested in joining a campus club or learning more about the process to apply for a paid student position? Contact us at first2studentcoordinator@gmail.com or using the form below!
Contact Us
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