Introducing high school students underrepresented in medicine
to careers in mental health

Dynamic Futures, also known as the Worcester Youth Behavioral Health Pathway Program, launched in Summer 2022 by UMass Chan Medical School and supported by the Worcester Division of Youth Opportunities, Worcester Public Schools, Worcester State University, and Behavioral Health and Human Services providers. A group of 15 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) students from Worcester high schools (grades 9 and 10) participated in a two-week camp that provided participants with helpful information about the Behavioral Health and Human Services fields, tours of a college campus, special guest speakers from service providers, as well as experiential learning opportunities.  

This is an immersive experience where students live on the campus of Worcester State for two weeks. They attend morning classes, participate in activities during the day, and receive three nutritious meals per day. Feedback from participants and organizers was overwhelmingly positive and we are building out the program to support larger groups of students and more engagement opportunities. 

Learn more about Dynamic Futures