In 2023, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrates its new class of 132 scholarship recipients, who are from 26 states and will be attending 26 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) this fall.
See the video below for an inside look into how FOSSI is changing the lives of these amazing scholars.
Meet more of FOSSI’s 2023 class
Christian Abbot: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Prairie View A&M University
Christian is from Houston, Texas, and graduated from Cypress Ranch High School. In the fall, he will be attending Prairie View A&M University with plans to major in mechanical engineering. Throughout high school, he participated in sports, community service work, and in organizations outside of school. After completing a Minecraft camp in third grade and taking his first two engineering courses in middle school, he knew that engineering was a field that he was passionate about. He is looking forward to being involved in various opportunities through the FOSSI program and Prairie View A&M University.
Jaden Banks: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Virginia State University
Jaden Banks is from Richmond, CA, and graduated from Pinole Valley High School. In the fall, he plans to attend Virginia State University and major in electrical and electronics engineering. Jaden’s interest in engineering developed through participating in programs like Apple coding events, MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement), and being part of the TRIO Upward Bound program. In the future, he sees himself utilizing his degree in engineering and working for a successful tech company or electric company like PG&E, Google, or Microsoft. He also desires to help out his community by hosting fun activities that help kids in the community learn about STEM fields.
Billi Hall: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Spelman College
Billi is from Fort Washington, MD, and graduated from Holton-Arms High School. In the fall, she’ll be attending Spelman College and majoring in biomedical engineering. She enjoys STEM and desires to use the knowledge she gains to help break down healthcare barriers within her community. Billi’s main goal is to use her education to ultimately play a role in helping the world become a better place for minorities.
Da’More Shorter: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Alabama State University
Da’More is from Tampa, Florida, and graduated from Howard W. Blake Magnet High School. In the fall, she will be attending Alabama State University and majoring in biomedical engineering. Throughout high school, her favorite subjects were math and science, and she was involved in many extracurricular activities, including serving as the captain of the girl’s varsity basketball team, being a marching band dancer, and serving as co-captain of the girl’s volleyball team. She was also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the student government. She looks forward to her STEM education providing her with the tools needed to make her employable and ready to meet all the demands of her future career.
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.