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.
On Monday, July 31, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative celebrated and welcomed 132 new FOSSI scholars at a virtual gathering of 300 students, family, friends and corporate partners.
Watch the video in the panel above to share in the excitement of FOSSI’s class of 2023!
FOSSI’s 2023 class welcome event
During the hour-long program, guests heard from a distinguished lineup of speakers that included Ashley Christopher, Founder and CEO of HBCU Week Foundation; Jim Fitterling, FOSSI Chair and Dow Chairman & CEO; Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC); Alvenia Scarborough, Chemours SVP & Chief Brand Officer; and Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs. Each speaker offered strong words of support and encouragement to the new FOSSI class and current FOSSI scholars. Read more.
FOSSI’s continued success
With the addition of the new class, FOSSI now boasts 430 scholars from 32 states who are enrolled at 42 HBCUs across the country. The initiative has an ambitious goal of supporting 1,000 scholars through 2025. Applications for 2024 FOSSI scholarships will open on September 23. Read the press release.
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.
This initiative is supported by the AIChE Foundation's Doing a World of Good Campaign.
AIChE Foundation – All for Good Campaign
