In Fall 2024, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) became the first non-West Virginia partner in the First2 Network, a National Science Foundation-funded initiative aimed at improving the success of rural, first-generation and low-income students in STEM majors. As part of this partnership, EKU launched its STEM Club, an exciting new student organization that is already making a significant impact on campus.
Now officially recognized as a Registered Student Organization (RSO) as of Fall 2025, the STEM Club is more than just a gathering place for science and tech enthusiasts — it’s a student-led support network designed to foster persistence and success in challenging STEM fields.
According to Dr. Melissa Dieckmann, a professor in the Department of Physics, Geosciences, and Astronomy, and STEM Club faculty advisor, “The ‘First2’ name highlights a key goal: addressing the critical first two years of college when many high-risk STEM students are most likely to drop out. The initiative empowers students to become the ‘first to’ overcome barriers and create change, fostering resilience and leadership along the way.”
At EKU, the STEM Club embraces that mission with a focus on three core goals:
From Campus Welcome Workshops that highlight tutoring services and AI best practices, to sessions on academic advising and FAFSA completion, the club offers practical support tailored to the unique needs of STEM students.
A standout feature of the STEM Club is its connection to the wider First2 Network. Student leaders have participated in conferences and training events, learning from peers at other universities and building a strong foundation of support. These leaders are trained in essential “Power Skills”, preparing them not only for campus leadership but for future careers and community impact. According to STEM Club vice-president Ms. Kaya Foushee, a biology major at EKU, “Power Skills greatly improved both my soft and hard skills by ensuring that I would be better equipped to handle my future role as a scientist in the real world.”
STEM students at EKU often face course prerequisites that delay full immersion in their major. The STEM Club fills that gap by creating a sense of community early on, allowing students to connect regardless of their year or department. Ms. Helena Panek, the STEM Club’s social media manager, says, “This club has made taking my (STEM) classes so much easier! It has introduced me to an entire community ready and willing to both help and support me!”
The club has also taken research-backed approaches to improve retention. “By connecting students with academic support staff in low-pressure, informal settings, the club helps demystify valuable resources. Events like Faculty Bingo, Friendsgiving and Impromptu Lectures give students opportunities to meet and engage with faculty outside the classroom, making it easier to seek help when challenges arise,” said Dr. Dieckmann.
STEM Club members have also connected with campus leaders through events like Pizza with the Provost and Donuts with the Dean, giving students insight into administrative roles they might not otherwise encounter.
With plans to continue building a lasting legacy at EKU, the STEM Club aims to support future students long after the First2 grant concludes. An upcoming event, Desserts with the Dean, will further expand opportunities for students to connect with key figures in the university’s STEM ecosystem. The STEM Club is proof that when students are empowered, supported and connected, they don’t just survive — they thrive. STEM Club Treasurer Ms. Rebekah Jones had this to say when asked why she chose to be an officer in the club, “I wanted to provide the same help and community to others that this club has provided me with since I joined it. From study groups to new friends, it has given me so many great opportunities and I just wanted to share that back with others!”
Interested in learning more or getting involved? Contact faculty advisor, Dr. Melissa Dieckmann.