A free summer program is giving community college students at Gateway (GCC) and Housatonic (HCC), who are considering careers in medicine the chance to fully explore the field on the campus of GCC’s Ivy League neighbor. 

Yale School of Medicine Summer Enrichment Medical Academy (Yale SEMA) is a six-week program designed to help students from diverse economic backgrounds who plan to pursue careers in medicine.  The summer program was developed through the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Community Engagement & Equity and funded through the medical school.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.   

Customized to meet the needs of GCC and HCC students interested in careers in medicine, the sought-after summer program is full and begins June 8. 

Professor Megan deLivron, Ph.D., who teaches biology and biochemistry, serves as coordinator for the program and said that being in downtown New Haven puts GCC is an ideal location for this partnership with Yale.  Professor deLivron works with GCC students who want to apply.  Approximately 20 students have been accepted into the competitive program, which has been running each summer for several years.

Professor deLivron noted that there are specific criteria that must be met to be eligible for the program.  Designed and funded to serve students who come from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, applicants who identify with a group that is racially/ethnically under-represented in medicine are given preference.  Other students given priority consideration are those who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and students who are the first in their family to attend college.

"This is an incredibly valuable opportunity for our students who aspire to work in the medical field," said Paul Broadie II, president of both Gateway and Housatonic Community Colleges. "We're proud to partner with the YSM to provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with medical school early in their academic journey."      

Those eligible for the program must have completed biology 121 and chemistry 121 with a C or better prior to the start of the program. Professor deLivron noted that she meets a lot of students who are interested in careers in medicine and are appropriate candidates for this career path.  Those interested in getting into the program should plan to enroll in the pre-requisites in fall 2019 or spring 2020.  

This program speaks to Yale’s commitment to serving underrepresented populations in medicine by ensuring that students fully understand what to expect in medical school and how to prepare to apply, said Professor deLivron, adding that the information is essential to students considering this highly competitive field.  Students served by the program aren’t exclusively pursuing careers as medical doctors, as any students interested in a career in the medical field are encouraged to apply.   

GCC Student Christina Alvarez, who attended the program last summer, said that it was very helpful to her in determining her exact career path.  She had an interest in the medical field since she was in high school, but admitted that she didn’t understand the scope of what was involved.  The program helped her decide to become a nurse practitioner.

The academy provides academic enrichment in basic sciences, research skills and communication.  Lunch seminars, meals and a transportation allowance/bus pass are included. deLivron noted that in past years, students have learned organic chemistry and benefitted from a wealth of information provided throughout the six-weeks.  The academy also gets students thinking about where to transfer to complete undergraduate work after obtaining their associate degree.

Information about the summer academy can be obtained by contacting Dr. deLivron at (203) 285-2454 or calling the Yale School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Community Engagement & Equity at (203) 785-7545 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..