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
Caitlyn Carter: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending North Carolina A&T
Caitlyn Carter is a Centennial High School graduate and incoming freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, where she plans to major in mechanical engineering. She became interested in engineering after attending a summer program in 2018 that focused on the role of engineering in transportation. Professionally, Caitlyn aims to work as an engineer for a company that focuses on creating sustainable solutions and values community involvement.
Brenden Evans: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending Southern University A&M College
Brenden Evans graduated from Culver City High School as a four-year honor roll student. Brenden is also an avid baseball player and a member of the Black Student Union. This fall, he will be attending Southern A&M University where he plans to major in civil engineering and play college baseball. His goal is to become a civil engineer with an environmental focus. He wants to help solve critical issues like the lack of safe drinking water and an increase in pollution that plagues many urban communities.
Jalen Saunders: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending Delaware State University
Jalen Saunders graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This fall, he will be attending Delaware State University and plans to major in chemistry. Jalen is thankful for the FOSSI scholarship, as it eased the financial burden on him and his family. It also enabled him to attend the college of his choice. He plans to change the world with his degree in chemistry.
Liyah Wilson: 2021 FOSSI Scholar Attending North Carolina A&T State University
Liyah Wilson is a graduate form Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. She plans to major in chemical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. After graduating, she wants to start a career as a cosmetic chemist, creating products to help manage Black hair. As far as long-range career plans, she wants to speak at conferences and encourage a new generation of minority professionals in STEM. In ten years, she sees herself teaching chemistry courses at an HBCU like A&T.