Growth and impact of a statewide network focused on STEM success

The First2 Network is a coalition of individuals from multiple universities, K-12 schools, industry, and government organizations from a rural eastern U.S. state who collaborate to ensure that rural, first-generation undergraduate students are prepared and motivated to persist in their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) major. Since its inception in 2018, this National Science Foundation-funded project has utilized student summer immersive experiences for incoming freshmen and Networked Improvement Communities to produce replicable best practices, campus student clubs, student ambassador programs, institutional teams, statewide conferences, and many other methods, all for the purpose of promoting student STEM persistence across the state. This study employs social network analysis to explore the structure, growth, and impact of the connections across this Network over the five years of its existence. Social network analysis metrics indicate that the Network grew both in size and connectivity until 2022 when policy changes led to more institutional localization for the purpose of sustainability. Students have formed robust connections with other Network members throughout the course of the project, leading to a higher STEM persistence rate among students in the Network than average at their university. Faculty from different universities across the state have made connections, which has increased productivity as a result of network membership. The available data suggests that the Network has had a positive impact on both student retention and faculty collaboration, which should be sustained and have a positive impact on STEM persistence throughout the state in years to come.