Mendon-Upton Regional School District Awarded Innovation Career Pathway Designations in Environmental Science and Healthcare

From left to right, Jim Gorman (2024 Science Teacher of the Year, Nipmuc Science Department Chair), Ryan Robidoux (Director of Learning and Innovation), Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and Tara Bennett (Nipmuc Career, Community, and Innovations Coordinator) posed for a photo on Wednesday at the 2025 Mass STEM Summit held at Gillette Stadium. (Photo Courtesy the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education)

MENDON — Superintendent Dr. Maureen Cohen and Nipmuc Regional High School Co-Principals John Clements and Mary Anne Moran are excited to announce that Mendon-Upton Regional School District has officially received designation from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for Innovation Career Pathway (ICP) designations in Environmental Science and Healthcare.

DESE announced Nipmuc Regional High School’s new ICP designations during the 2025 Massachusetts STEM Summit at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, May 7.

These two new designations will double the number of ICP programs offered at Nipmuc. This school year, 25 students enrolled in the Business & Finance and Information (Computer Science) pathways programs.

The two new ICP designations will be implemented in Fall 2025.

One student, ninth grader Lillian Pereira, has already enrolled in Nipmuc’s upcoming Healthcare ICP.

“I’ve always wanted to help people when I grew up, yet I wasn’t sure the path to take to do this,” Lillian said. “When I got more serious about sports, I had real injuries and went to physical therapy. This is when I knew I wanted to help athletes and others return to what they loved doing. Seeing someone at their worst and getting them to their best would be the dream. This is why I chose to join the ICP Healthcare program!”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced new Innovation Career Pathway designations for 37 high schools, including 20 districts receiving a designated pathway for the first time.

“We want to transform the high school experience, and expanding Innovation Career Pathways is one crucial way we are working to do just that,” said Massachusetts Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am excited that the program will reach nearly 30 percent of high schools across Massachusetts as we work to Reimagine High School, increasing student engagement for thousands of students and creating new opportunities for them to find their own paths to successful futures.”

Nipmuc’s Career, Community, and Innovations Coordinator Tara Bennett led the Science ICP team through the application process in collaboration with the Science ICP team, which consists of Jim Gorman, Leesa Michael, Cari White, Katie Hiler, Amy Townsley, Kendra Swenson, Ryan Robidoux, John Clements and Mary Anne Moran.

“The District remains committed to exploring opportunities to expand its Innovation Career Pathways offerings for students,” said Bennett. “Any potential additions are carefully evaluated to ensure they reflect student interest, build upon existing coursework, and align with the District’s overall vision and goals.”

ICPs are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Their goal is to create strong partnerships with employers in order to expose students to career options and help them develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field of study before they graduate high school.

The ICP recognition follows a competitive multi-phase application process. The addition of two new ICP programs will enable Nipmuc to expand meaningful, career-connected learning opportunities for students as they prepare for careers after high school.

“The Mendon-Upton Regional School District, and more specifically the Nipmuc Regional High School, aims to prepare its students for higher education and the world of work,” said Superintendent Dr. Cohen. “These Innovation Career Pathways provide both high-level and technical coursework related to our students’ specific fields of interest. What do you want to be when you grow up? First, we’ll help you answer that question, and then we’ll help you get there.”

Students who enroll in the Environmental Science ICP will learn how to analyze, develop and provide solutions to environmental challenges, such as alternative energy systems, environmental policy, pollution control, sustainability and natural resources.

Students who enroll in the Healthcare ICP will be exposed to careers in the healthcare industry, and study topics such as biology, anatomy, physiology, research skills, scientific terminology and medical ethics.

All innovation career pathways culminate in a senior year 100-hour-plus capstone project or internship opportunity with an industry partner in their career field of interest.

“Innovation Career Pathways have a positive impact for our high school students and for the future of our workforce. By expanding access to applied learning in fields like clean energy, life sciences, and information technology, we’re preparing young people for successful careers in some of the fastest-growing industries in our state,” said Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. “Our administration will keep investing in pathways that empower students to discover their passions and build a strong, equitable economy for Massachusetts.”

“We’re thrilled that nearly 30 percent of eligible high schools will be offering Innovation Career Pathways by next school year,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These programs don’t just give students real-world experiences — they connect them to the industries that are driving Massachusetts’ future “The STEM Summit will be a powerful opportunity to showcase how schools, employers and communities are working together to unlock potential and open new doors for our students.”

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The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced new Innovation Career Pathway designations for 37 high schools, including 20 districts receiving a designated pathway for the first time, at the 2025 Mass STEM Summit. Representatives from those districts posed for a group photo at Gillette Stadium. (Photo Courtesy the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education)