by Wesley J. Dunham, iCons Strategic Communications and Program Manager
The UMass Amherst Integrated Concentration in STEM (iCons) Program is an innovative academic certificate program designed to inspire a diverse generation of innovators with the attitudes and skills needed to solve the problems facing society. Through team-based projects, iCons students build on the strengths of their respective majors, gaining experience in cross-disciplinary communication and integrative problem-solving.
This past fall, we proudly launched our fifteenth cohort of the iCons Program, known as the 15th Horizon cohort. Their first case study was focused on Access to Healthcare—a complex, real-world problem that demands insights from multiple academic disciplines, including public health, economics, public policy, biomedical engineering, and nutrition.
In response to a growing demand for our experiential learning approach, the iCons Program has expanded significantly. Fall 2024 saw a record 336 undergraduate applicants—over three times the number of available seats. To meet this enthusiasm, we will be doubling our capacity, introducing two new tracks alongside our established Biomedicine/Biosystems and Renewable Energy tracks. The new Food-Water-Climate track, launched in Spring 2025, equips students to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, water distribution, and global food security. The upcoming AI-Future of Work track, set to begin in Spring 2026, will prepare students to understand and navigate the transformative impacts of artificial intelligence on society.
Since its inception as a bold idea in 2008, the iCons Program has grown into a national leader in interdisciplinary education, continually surpassing expectations for what undergraduate students can achieve when working across fields. This growth has been made possible by the vision and support of our community. We are especially grateful to Richard Mahoney ’55 (Chemistry), whose early and ongoing support has been instrumental in our success. The Mahoney family recently renewed their commitment with an additional $1.375 million gift.
We are also excited to welcome three new instructors to the iCons community this year. Greg Gregory, a graduate student in Plant Biology from Professor Sam Hazen’s lab, brings expertise in cell and developmental biology, genomics, and plant-environment interactions. He co-teaches one section of ICONS 189H: Global Challenges, Scientific Solutions. Ann-Marie Sylvia, who recently completed her PhD in Public Health, specializes in the health benefits of physical activity. She teaches ICONS 289H: Integrated Scientific Communication for Biomedicine/Biosystems. Martin Medina Elizalde, our 2024-2025 iCons Teaching Fellow and an Associate Professor in Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences, focuses on paleoclimatology and climate change. He co-teaches one section of ICONS 189H: Global Challenges, Scientific Solution.
In October 2024, the UMass iCons Program hosted its annual Idea Slam, focusing on the pressing issue of student anxiety. Expert speakers Dr. Melissa Rotkiewicz, Director of the UMass Amherst Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), and Brian Pearson, founder of Adventure East, highlighted anxiety’s impact and explored nature-based solutions. Following their insights, students and faculty formed teams to brainstorm and pitch innovative solutions, fostering collaborative, creative problem-solving. The event showcased the iCons Program’s commitment to experiential learning and empowering students to address critical societal issues.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters and industry partners for their ongoing belief in our mission and our students. Together, we are empowering a new generation of innovators who are prepared to make a meaningful impact.
To stay updated on iCons news and events, please visit our website at https://icons.cns.umass.edu. We wish you all good health, happiness, and continued success.