First2 Network and WV Jobs Network Spring 2025 Co-Conference

ALIGNING COLLEGES, COMMUNITIES, AND EMPLOYERS TO TRANSFORM EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

This conference will focus on:

• Fostering a culture of learning and collaboration among students, job seekers, faculty, administrators, workforce trainees, employers, and industry professionals.
• Championing interdisciplinary, cooperative strategies to drive systems change and enhance the impact and sustainability of workforce development and STEM education initiatives.
• Showcasing successes and best practices to elevate workforce development and STEM education outcomes.
• Identifying strategic next steps to enhance and expand both networks.

VIEW OUR PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE AGENDA HERE.

Thursday May 15th 10:00am-5:30pm (followed by dinner and activities) will focus on INSTITUTIONS and ORGANIZATIONS.

Friday May 16th 8:00am-5:30pm (followed by dinner and activities) will focus on EMPLOYERS.

Saturday May 17th 8:00am-3:00pm will focus on JOBSEEKERS and STUDENTS.

*note that sessions are subject to change prior to the conference date(s)

Hotel rooms for this conference can be booked here.

This link will also be provided on your registration confirmation page and in your confirmation email from Eventbrite. **Note that if you are a First2 Network student, we will book your room for you; when completing your registration, please check 'YES' when asked if you are planning to stay at the Sheraton so we know to reserve a room for you.

The conference has no registration fee. We will work with those who are not able to access travel support funds through their organization to provide support for partial or full travel costs (mileage, lodging) as our funding allows.

The First2 Network is an expanding group of over 1200 people and 30 organizations working to increase the number of college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to strengthen our communities and drive an innovation economy in West Virginia and beyond. First2 focuses on rural, first-generation, and low-income STEM students, making sure all our students can succeed.

The First2 Network is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award Numbers: HRD-1834586, WV Higher Education Policy Commission; HRD-1834601, Green Bank Observatory; HRD-1834575, Fairmont State University; HRD-1834595, High Rocks Educational Corporation; HRD-1834569, West Virginia University.

The WV Jobs Network (WVJN) connects great talent to good jobs through curating high-quality resources, creating needed tools, sharing promising practices, providing coaching, and hosting an annual conference for learning and sharing -- convening partners, employers, and job seekers to retain talent across the mountains.

The WV Jobs Network is powered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Economic Development Administration, and the Benedum Foundation