Westfield State Expands Summer Learning with Teen U, Baystate Health Partnership
WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will host two dynamic summer initiatives in July, Teen University (Teen U) on July 19-24, and the inaugural Healthcare Career Excellence Academy on July 13-17, the latter in partnership with Baystate Health.
Teen University, a long-standing WSU program, offers middle- and high-school students a residential experience, allowing participants to live on campus and fully immerse themselves in college life. This summer, Teen U continues to strengthen its healthcare-focused programming, providing students with both foundational and hands-on exposure to careers in the field. Through engaging, experiential learning activities such as simulated suturing, teddy bear triage, music therapy, the black box experience in athletic training and sports medicine, the healing power of electricity, and virtual reality exploration, students gain a deeper understanding of patient care and clinical environments.
In addition to technical skill-building, Teen U emphasizes the development of essential soft skills through interactive workshops focused on communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn CPR certification during the program and may choose to enroll in a dual-enrollment course, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school.
Complementing these offerings is the Healthcare Career Excellence Academy, launched this year as a new partnership between Westfield State University and Baystate Health. This inaugural collaboration brings together academic and healthcare leaders to create an immersive career exploration experience for high-school students that includes a visit to departments within Baystate Noble Hospital. Through mentorship, simulations, and exposure to both clinical and educational settings, students gain valuable insight into in-demand healthcare roles and the pathways required to pursue them.
“These programs demonstrate the power of partnership in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals in Western Massachusetts and beyond,” Westfield State University President Linda Thompson said. “By connecting students with hands-on learning, mentorship, and college experiences, we are expanding opportunity, strengthening our regional workforce, and helping students envision a future in healthcare.”
Together, these programs reflect Westfield State University’s commitment to expanding early access to higher education, creating pathways to healthcare careers, and addressing the region’s growing need for skilled healthcare professionals. The partnership with Baystate Health represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between higher education and healthcare providers to enhance student learning, expand career opportunities, and support the long-term health and workforce needs of the communities they serve.
“We are excited to welcome students to campus this summer and provide experiences that spark interest, build skills, and open doors,” said Jessica Holden, associate dean of Nursing.
Both initiatives highlight Westfield State University’s role as a hub for innovation, experiential education, and community engagement, offering students a supportive, hands-on environment to explore their interests while envisioning their future.
“From hands-on clinical simulations to earning certifications and college credit, programs like Teen U and the Healthcare Career Excellence Academy showcase the power of experiential learning and our shared investment in student success and healthcare workforce development,” said Emily Ciccolo, healthcare career navigator at Westfield State.