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.”
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)
A message from Mendon-Upton Regional School District