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The UMass iCons Program has welcomed its largest cohort to date, as 108 students have joined the undergraduate certificate program as the “15^th Horizon.” Representing 33 different primary majors across eight schools and colleges, this cohort reflects the growing impact of iCons in shaping the next generation of problem solvers.

For the first time since the inception of iCons in 2014, the program has expanded to include a third academic track – Food-Water-Climate – which has contributed to the increase in cohort size from 72 to 108 iCons scholars. The expansion, which added to the two existing tracks in Biomedicine and Renewable Energy, underscores the program’s commitment to addressing global challenges with a multidisciplinary approach.

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UMass iCons created the Food-Water-Climate track because food and water are essential for human health, yet resource insecurity claims millions of lives annually as population growth, urbanization and climate change worsen these challenges, disrupting agriculture and ecosystems. The UMass iCons Program will prepare future leaders and innovators with the skills to address multifaceted food-water-climate issues through an integrative, problem-solving approach.

In a testament to iCons' dedication to diversity and inclusivity, 55% of the 15^th Horizon scholars identify as BIPOC, highlighting the program’s continued progress toward equitable representation in STEM, business and policy fields.

The cohort’s journey began at the iCons Cohort Launch in December 2024, where they collaboratively selected their first case study problem topic: Barriers to Equity in Health. This topic sets the stage for rigorous, real-world problem-solving as the students work together to develop innovative solutions to problems including food deserts (geographic areas where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious foods), inequitable access to healthcare and the roles of food and water insecurity in health and disease.

The mission of the iCons Program is to inspire a diverse generation of innovators in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, and policy with the attitudes and skills needed to solve problems facing our world. Building on the disciplinary strength of each student’s major, iCons projects at all levels involve collaborative student teams working on cross-disciplinary communication and integrative problem-solving skills.

More information of iCons can be found at icons.cns.umass.edu.