Mayo Clinic, NAACP create new path forward for Black and underrepresented students

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Nov 7, 2021 | Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira

RISE for Youth is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the Rochester branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) designed to help Black and underrepresented students transform themselves from youth with potential to competitive and empowered talent entering the workforce. The program aims to create new pathways for success by providing students with critical educational and leadership skills, training, and long-term mentoring for successful careers in health care, science, and beyond.

The disparities young people may face can have a significant impact. According to the State of Minnesota Employment and Economic Development report, there is a large employment gap between white college graduates and minorities such as Black/African Americans, Hispanic and American Indians.

RISE for Youth will help bridge that gap by providing underrepresented minority youth with the kinds of education, experiences, and connections that made such a difference in Elegbede's life. It aims to do so by engaging support from both inside and outside of Mayo Clinic.

RISE for Youth has two tracks:

RISE Up is a four-week program that provides employment preparation for post-secondary education students. Participants will examine health care careers and will be partnered with mentors from Mayo Clinic and the surrounding community. Through discussions and exploration of leadership and professional development topics, students will gain insightful knowledge, hands-on experience, and professionalism skills.

RISE High is a four-week program that engages high school juniors and seniors in a pre-college readiness program designed to enhance opportunities for post-secondary education and entry into the workforce. Participants will examine health care careers and will be partnered with mentors from Mayo Clinic. Through discussions and exploration of leadership and professional development topics, students will gain insightful knowledge, hands-on experience, and professionalism skills.

Application process

RISE Up and RISE High welcome applicants from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in medicine and biomedical sciences including African American, Hispanic, Native American/American Indian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. Additionally, students who have demonstrated an interest in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, health care or another related area are eligible to participate.

The application process will be open from November 15th, 2021 through February 1, 2022. Click here for application details.

Selection of students in the program will be done by representatives from the NAACP, Barbershop Talk, the Diversity Council, the Somali community, educators, and other community partners.

To learn more, please visit Mayo Clinic's Community Engagement page.