Community High School Engagement and Learning Program
The Community High School Engagement & Learning (CHiSEL) Program provides experiential learning opportunities for high school students interested in cancer research. Students will be paired with a Massey investigator at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for five weeks. The program will take place on site at the VCU Medical Center campus in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Through this program, students will be able to:
- Develop working relationships with cancer researchers
- Gain laboratory skills that can be applicable for further higher education goals
- Learn about the cancer burden in Virginia, disparities within our communities and the importance of community engagement in research
- Participate in cancer research seminars and network with current Massey trainees
About the program
- Five-week mentored research experience (June 23-July 25, 2025)
- Final poster presentation of work at Massey’s Summer Research Symposium
- Minimum commitment of 25 hours/week (125 hours of laboratory experience)
- Need-based scholarships are available for eligible students (limited number available)
Eligibility and application requirements
- Eligible applicants must be rising high school juniors or seniors in the Greater Richmond Area
- A letter of recommendation is required from a teacher, supervisor, coach, mentor or other individual who can attest to the student’s academic interests and abilities. Secondly, applicants must submit a resume.
- Individuals who are underrepresented in STEM-related fields are encouraged to apply
- Must be able to attend the program in its entirety
2025 CHiSEL applications open November 22, 2024. For more information, contact us at MCCCRTEC@vcu.edu.
Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
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The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology Program at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, aims to introduce Virginia high school student leaders who identify as female to the vast career and leadership opportunities in oncology. The SHE program provides a 2-week virtual experience for young women who will be entering their sophomore, junior or senior years of high school. The program will include a series of virtual workshops, panels and hands-on research activities.
About the program
- Virtual research experience (July 7-July 18, 2025)
- One week will have a hands-on focus on Cancer Research (live) online laboratory instruction with at-home experiment kits
- The other week will focus on Career Exploration in Cancer Research & Medicine (virtual) professional development workshop sessions
- Attend presentations, panel discussions and professional development workshops with research and medical professionals across the US
- Connect with other high school students across the country
- Stipend up to $500
Eligibility and application requirements
- Female-identifying students who are underrepresented in the sciences (i.e., racial or ethnic minority, low income, first generation college-bound and/or living with a disability) are encouraged to apply
- Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with an interest in any STEM discipline are eligible for participation
- Participants must be full-time students and cannot be enrolled in summer courses that interfere with the SHE Program
- A commitment of 4 hours per day, Monday - Friday throughout program dates is required
2025 SHE applications open November 22, 2024. For more information, contact us at MCCCRTEC@vcu.edu.
