New American Youth on the Rise is a targeted mentorship and enrichment program for middle and high school students from “New American” immigrant groups in Chittenden County (VT). The program aims to foster health equity for local immigrant communities by developing a pathway to college careers in health sciences thereby enhancing representation in the healthcare workforce, and increasing trust between the academic health center and local community by demonstrating investment in the community.
The program exposes local immigrant, refugee or first generation students to the joys and challenges of studying science while increasing their self efficacy and confidence. The overall goal is to guide these students into college careers in health sciences and then into careers in health sciences.
Building the next generation of health professionals
The program begins in middle school, continues through high school and facilitates the successful transition to college careers in health sciences for immigrant and first-generation American girls in Chittenden County, Vermont, the majority of whom are members of underrepresented groups in medicine.
Program Features
The key to New American Girls on the Rise is the concept of “cocooning.” The program focuses not only on the girl, but also her parents/guardians and science teachers/school counselors forming a “cocoon” of safety and support around the girl as well as members of her cohort of other girl's.
Program Contacts
Anne Dougherty, M.D., Director for Gender Equity, Associate Professor, Program Director
Paula Deming, Ph.D., MT (ASCP), Associate Professor of Health Sciences
Rachel Wetchi, Core Director, New American Youth on the Rise