NSF INCLUDES First2 Alliance

1. NSF INCLUDES First2 Alliance Erica Harvey, Ph.D. Fairmont University West Virginia One of 5 Collaborative Proposal PI’s

2. First2 Alliance Facts • Designed to improve STEM persistence among first generation rural students. • First funded by NSF in 2016 as Design Development Launch Pilot. • Involving all sectors across West Virginia, with plans to scale to other EPSCoR states • Change strategy is to implement the proven methodologies of Networked Improvement Communities (NICs) to study, improve and replicate promising programs that impact STEM persistence.

3. FIRST2 DRIVER DIAGRAM (AIM) Primary Drivers Secondary Drivers Change Ideas Faculty - Student Engagement Improve rural first gen students and faculty collaboration to understand and address obstacles to success. Public Presentation Prioritize FRIENDS and FUN Mentoring Relationships Students/faculty discuss actionable classroom obstacles in bi-monthly club meeting Over the next 10 years, double the graduation rate (from 30% to 60%) of the students in West Virginia who enter college with a declared STEM major who complete a STEM degree within 4 years. Immersive Experiences Improve rural first generation students’ deep sense ofbelonging in a STEM community of practice and self-efficacy in their STEM abilities. PromoteOffice hours interactions Foster growth mindset Students work in TEAMS in summer research that include upperclassmen/grad students/faculty Social engagement STEM internships, research, stories, and careers are highly visible Opportunities for student leadership Develop student communication skills College Readiness Increase rural first generation students’ ability to enter college with requisite knowledge, skills and disposition to succeed. F2 Ambassadors discuss STEM with high school and middle school students Math preparation Replicate HSTA in 10 additional counties within 5 years Decision Trees for Teachers and counselors and parents to help students become college ready Workplace-academia connections Student STEM representation in faculty senate Institutional Change, Capacity, and Partnerships Build institutional change, policy, systemic change, industry partnership, network and individual capacity to support persistence . Resources are available to identify and address obstacles to FG success in STEM Family engagement Build relationships with state legislators Students understand institutional structures and endemic challenges for FG as they enter college.

4. A Rural Model from West Virginia: Achieving Health Care & STEM Workforce Diversity Ann Chester, Ph.D. Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences for Education Partnerships Director, WV HSTA Catherine Morton, Ed.D. Assistant Director, WV HSTA

5. HSTA was founded on the belief that vulnerable students have the potential and desire to pursue a college education and can achieve that goal on parity with their privileged peers if given the appropriate support.

6. Mission Statement HSTA increases the number of African American and underrepresented students in WV who pursue degrees in Health Sciences and STEM majors, thereby increasing the numbers in the STEM and healthcare workforce and in the communities of West Virginia.

7. Focus • The development of HSTA • The community based structure • Model for influencing social/behavioral determinants of health and STEM careers

8. HSTA Students • 36% African American • 63% Financially disadvantaged • 73% First in their families to go to college • 80% Female • 80% Rural • 9th-12th Graders

9. Fun with Science Summer Campus Week 9th Graders Forensics Summer Campus Week 10th graders Biomed Summer Campus Week 11th graders Math, Statistics or Chemistry Summer Campus 3-Weeks 12th graders Tuition & Fee Waiver College 9th -12th grade afterschool clubs lead by teachers Job Shadowing Community Service Science Projects Annual Symposium CommunityLeadership CommunityLeadership HSTA State Governing Board HSTA Teachers Regional Governing Boards HSTA Staff HSTA HSTA Community Families WV Colleges and Universities Health Care Facilities

10. Give away power to gain influence CommunityLeadership

11. Infrastructure • Community Based Organization • 159 Volunteer Board Members • 800 9th -12th grade students in 48 high schools • After school club setting • Complete annual research projects • Successful completion of the program results in tuition waiver to WV state schools • 81 teachers • 13 Field Site Coordinators • 4 Community Research Associates

12. 2750 HSTA students graduated (since 1994) class of 1998 • 96% have gone to college where 56% of the general WV population attends college. • 89% finish college relative to 72% of the general WV population: 179 have already completed a bachelors degree, 46 have completed associate’s degrees. • 23% get a graduate degree relative to 6% of general WV population : 28 have completed master’s degrees, 13 have completed medical and doctoral degrees. • 51% choose STEM majors relative to 16% of the general WV college population. • 92% stay in West Virginia • $26,000/year more income than their highest earning parent. • 99% have gone to college where 56% of the general WV population attends college. • 94% finish college relative to <44.% of the general WV population: 89% of these students graduate with a 4-year degree or better • 19% get a graduate degree relative to 6% of general WV population • 87% stay in West Virginia to work • On average, HSTA students earn $30,000 +per year more than their parents

13. Program Goals • Increase the number of underrepresented students who attend and complete college and pursue Health Sciences and STEM majors

14. Kids can reach and teach in situations where research professionals aren’t invited. HSTA’s requirement of the annual research project is key to capturing the kids attention and energy

15. 6 Rs spell success • Relationships • Recreation/Fun • Relevance • Research/inquiry • Rigor • Repetition

16. Students Involve the Community • Increase community engagement and involvement in research • 71% of student projects are community engaged • 48% of projects focus on community environmental issues

17. A New Work Force for STEM • Adolescents can be vectors for change in their communities • Students are able to conduct research in the most inaccessible communities • The HSTA families offer new insights into public /community issues • The infrastructure is in place and unique to West Virginia

18. Labyrinth of Mentorship &Support • Peers • HSTA Near Peers • College Near Peers • Teachers • Local Community Professionals • Community Research Associates • Scientists • University Professors • HSTA staff RELATIONSHIPS: Sometimes all it takes is one special mentor to make a difference

19. Foundation of education is the process of inquiry • Interest driven issues • Relevant • Gain and share literacy • Immersive experience • Mentor/Mentee • RESEARCH founded in the 6 Rs • Relationships • Recreation/Fun • Relevance • Research/inquiry • Rigor • Repetition

20. Keys to Success School Year • Weekly meetings • Mentors Mentors, Mentors • Accountability • Expectations • Relationships & Nurturing • Involvement in addressing community issues Summer Campus Experience • Experience College life • Navigate campus with like peers • Relationships with faculty and others outside their home towns