Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success Foundation™
We aim to increase underrepresented Illinois students in major healthcare and related STEMM professions by providing the strongest educational foundation and access to resources.
Our Programs
CPASS Mini-Medical Schools
Fourth and fifth grade students perform cool experiments and learn about the body and its systems in Rush Mini-Medical School.
STEMM Scholars Academy
The STEMM Scholars Academy offers a free 5-week STEMM program for high school students, providing academic and holistic development, networking with professionals, and college prep resources.
Chicago Area Health and Medical Careers Program™ (CAHMCP)
CAHMCP (“Champs”) gives underrepresented high school and college students the knowledge and support they need to pursue medical careers.
*KICK-OFF ANNOUNCEMENT AS WELL AS MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON
Use our search tool to find STEMM programs near you in the areas that you’re interested in.
STEMM Education
Study Tips for STEMM Students [Guide]
What Our Alumni Say
Eric Whitaker, MD, MPH
Chair, CPASS Foundation
“Until CAHMCP, I was not supported in my dream of becoming a doctor. It was an eye-opening experience to be with students of color who all valued education.”
Laura Lucero, MD
Family Practice/Chief Medical Officer, Beloved Community Family Wellness Center
“I’ve never studied so hard, tried so hard. I was in that anatomy course all day long. I finally got into medical school a year later.”
Mildred M. G. Olivier, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Learning Environment, Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
“CAHMCP gave me a group of friends I studied with in medical school, and we tried to be the best that we could be.”
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News & Events
Welcome Asia Lawrence as Program Director for the CPASS Foundation STEMM Scholars Academy!
Asia brings a unique background to his role as Program Director for the CPASS STEMM Scholars Academy. As a first-generation college graduate, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Georgia State University and expanded his knowledge in Logistics...
Welcome Tracie Screven as Associate Director for the CPASS Foundation
Tracie Screven is an adept technical professional with exceptional project management and strategy experience. In previous years, Tracie held various roles in Research and Development at Kraft Heinz for over 16 years. And most recently she held roles at SMASH as Site...
EVENTS
Reflecting on the Success of the CPASS Foundation’s Annual STEMM Pathways to Health Equity Breakfast
The CPASS Foundation hosted its Annual STEMM Pathways to Health Equity Breakfast, bringing together passionate individuals committed to advancing health equity in our communities. This event provided a platform for meaningful discussions and innovative strategies...
CPASS Foundation presents a fireside chat with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
A fireside chat and live Q&A moderated by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson focusing on the lack of representation of Black males in medical schools.
The Blog
Illinois’s Future Depends on STEMM Careers That Include Everyone
To grow a diverse workforce and address inequality Chicago companies need to innovate with STEMM hiring and promotion. The Illinois STEMM workforce is the sixth-largest in the US and growing fast. With an innovative job market and strong universities, students come to...
Robotics Is Surging in Chicagoland
The pandemic accelerated development of artificial intelligence and automation. Now students as young as pre-K are learning to code. The pandemic forced laboratories, factories, and warehouses around the world to replace humans with robots. As the world reopens,...
Experimenting with experiments during lockdown changed science education
Between COVID vaccines and mass lockdowns, humanity just experienced some of the largest medical and health experiments ever. This made it harder for STEMM students to continue their own studies and transformed STEMM university education. From accessing cadavers for...