Our blog is a gathering place for the entire pathway programs community. Here, we celebrate the journeys that shape us and the connections that drive us forward. Have an inspiring program highlight to share? Or a mentorship story that changed your perspective? We’d be honored to feature it. Your experience is what makes this community so powerful. Share your mentor story or highlight a program.
Human-Centered by Design: How Duke Ignite Builds Sustainable Solutions, Locally & Globally
The Duke Ignite program has had a tremendous impact on local and global communities by implementing a human-centered design process. Ignite serves as an inspiring model of how to pivot during a changing landscape and create new pathway programs to address the needs of learners. Read more.
A Year of Connection & Strategy: 2025 in Review
As 2025 concludes, The Center for Pathway Programs is celebrating a year of strategic growth, deepened partnerships, and a spotlight on excellence—from igniting early passion in learners to forging key workforce development alliances. In our last blog post of the year, we recap updates on practices, tools, strategies, and focus for building a more sustainable and impactful pathway ecosystem. Read more.
DUNE: Building Confidence and Community for Durham’s Future Neuroscience Researchers
The DUNE program gives Durham high schoolers an opportunity to conduct real neuroscience research on campus during an immersive 8-week experience. Find out how DUNE leverages dedicated mentors, Duke labs, and continuous feedback to help students strengthen neural pathways to a future in science. Read more.
CTSI Teams Engage Local Elementary Students in Hands-on Activities
CTSI teammates brought science to life at a local elementary school, letting young students “get a feel” for health and safety through hands-on activities. The event primed future scientists for upcoming activities that will build on the knowledge. Read on.
Nurturing STEMM Identity for Students and Teachers through Immersive Engineering Design
Dr. Aaron Kyle believes that early STEMM identity development is key to success in the field. Learn how Outreach Design Education at Duke is nurturing STEMM identity for both students and teachers in the local community. Read more.
Center Leadership Presents at NC Alliance for Health Professions Statewide Pathways Summit
Explore the evolution of The Center and discover new ways to collaborate with NC organizations across to strengthen career pathways for North Carolina students. Read more.
Duke NC AHEC Program and City of Medicine Academy Collaboration
The Duke office of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) and the City of Medicine Academy (CMA) are celebrating a major milestone in the history of their collaboration. This successful, long-standing partnership was forged to enhance the health-focused educational experience of CMA students and is going strong. Read more.
Share Your STREAM Activities with Workforce READI
Workforce READI is a collaborative effort between the Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute and the Duke Office of Clinical Research, addressing the need to develop a strong future workforce in health sciences and clinical research. STREAM activities with the group. Read more.
Partnering with the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs
The Center for Pathway Programs co-directors Amber Richardson and Dr. Charles Muiruri will facilitate a collaborative secession on Oct. 3 at the Association of STEMM Pathway and Bridge Programs 2024 virtual conference. Read more.
NBME Funds Center for Pathway Programs Platform
The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) has awarded the Center for Pathway Programs an NBME Philanthropic Initiatives Grant in the amount of $25,000. The award provides critical funding to support the development of the Center’s web platform. Read more.
Mentorship: A Matter of Justice and Advocacy
There’s a school of thought that relegates physicians to only treating disease. One resident shares how his mentors are encouraging him to bring his full self to the practice. Read more.
Peer Learning and Power Skills
Being a successful researcher takes more than good grant writing. Duke’s Community of Scholars gives researchers the “power skills” and networks that are fundamental to success. Read more.
Social Media: The Ultimate Tool for Becoming a Triple Threat
What role does social media play in the world of academic medicine? We talked to one physician-researcher for a behind-the-screen look at pros and cons of the platform. Read more.
A Teleshadowing Program Designed with Pandemic in Mind
During the pandemic, shadowing opportunities for pre-meds shut down. This one was “designed with the pandemic in mind.” Read more.
Mentor Story: Remembering Your Why
Itaevia Curry-Chisolm and Kira Allen reflect on what’s kept them connected and focused since meeting in the BOOST Program years ago. Read more.
A Closer Look at the BIGGER Program
The BIGGER Program helps students feel more confident about pursuing research and gaining all they can from a mentor-mentee relationship. Read more.
