In partnership with The American Chemistry Council (ACC), Chemours, and HBCU Week Foundation, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) was established in November 2020 with the goal of helping to combat the lack of diversity in the STEM workforce.
FOSSI provides scholarship recipients $10,000 per year for four years, helping to eliminate financial barriers for historically under-represented groups. Recently, 151 outstanding scholars were chosen to join FOSSI’s inaugural class. See the video below for an inside look into how FOSSI is changing the lives of these amazing scholars.
Meet more of FOSSI’s inaugural class
Keliy Hanes: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending Bethune Cookman University
Keliy has been homeschooled since kindergarten but that didn't stop her from participating in multiple extracurricular activities. During high school, she was team captain of her varsity basketball team, she ran track, and was a member of the equestrian drill team. She also attended a homeschool co-op which provided the opportunities to serve as a board member of the Student Ambassador Club, become a mentor, and to co-lead the student-led Chapel Team as a board member and worship leader. With her chemistry degree, she plans to ultimately open her own chiropractic business where she would serve both the Spanish and deaf communities.
Trevor Melton: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending North Carolina A&T State University
Trevor is a graduate of Souderton Area High School who is tenaciously pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. He was the team captain of his varsity high school track team, and he also played varsity basketball. Additionally, he participated in the Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honors Society, and he was an AP Scholar. Over the past four years, he volunteered each month to feed the homeless and help the needy. His service to others taught him to be humble and to truly appreciate what life has to offer. Surrounded by a family of chemical engineers currently employed in diverse careers, his love for chemistry was sparked by seeing firsthand how this field touches on many different aspects of the environment.
Kaila White: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending North Carolina A&T State University
Kaila is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, by way of Laurel, Maryland. She quickly developed a love and talent for math and science that lasted throughout her high school career, leading to her interest in the medical and environmental fields. It wasn’t until her dad began pushing her towards his alma matter, North Carolina A&T, that she really became interested in engineering. She is very excited to be attending NCAT and is even more eager to start the bioengineering path.
Gabrielle Wood: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending Howard University
Gabrielle is the class of 2021 Valedictorian for the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology from Metro-Atlanta, Georgia. During her high school years, Gabby conducted several scientific research projects, founded an entrepreneurship club, was the starting pitcher for the varsity softball team, organized events within the environmental club, and served as the parliamentarian of the student council. She aspires to work on global solutions to environmental challenges through research and collaboration with businesses and governments. She is currently working towards this goal as a Karsh STEM Scholar at Howard University majoring in chemical engineering. She plans to pursue a PhD in Environmental Engineering.
Learn more about FOSSI’s inaugural class.
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a core initiative of AIChE's Doing a World of Good campaign and its All for Good: Engineering for Inclusion priority. FOSSI is supported by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The American Chemistry Council (ACC), Chemours, and HBCU Week Foundation.
Future of Stem Scholars Initiative
