Ester R. Shapiro, PhD, Psychology and Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Research, University of Massachusetts at Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, McCormick Bldg., M-4-210, Boston, MA 02125-3393, 617-9640997, ester.shapiro@umb.edu

This presentation describes theory, pedagogy, and student projects in a Health Promotion Senior Capstone seminar for diverse psychology undergraduates at an urban public university, designed to support leadership development in health promotion for social change. Using ecological, developmental systems, reflective and participatory frameworks for health promotion practice in diverse communities, the class evokes reflection supporting mutual learning across experiences of difference, oppression, survivorship, and resilience. Students are working poor, parents and caretakers for family elders; a typical classroom of 25 includes an alchemical mix of racial and linguistic minorities, working class women and men, single mothers, immigrants, war veterans, survivors of gender based violence, of psychiatric hospitalizations, and others intimately experiencing intersecting social systems of disadvantage. We testify to direct experiences fighting destructive educational, health and public health systems; study how power protects privilege; identify opportunities for innovation leveraging resources for change, and explore possible pathways for making a living while making a difference. Building on strengths and appetite for knowledge, students articulate goals and expand relevant academic skills while creating bridges of solidarity to others in the class, to their own and to new communities. Students write a reflective journal on readings in health promotion, racial disparities and cultural protective factors, and community mobilization for health, constructing an ecological, developmental systems model connecting to other courses, professional interests, and life experiences. Students select an innovative community based practice setting to study using health promotion and social change frameworks, and share their learning in a class presentation highlighting future plans.

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