The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrates its most recent 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
Landen Anderson: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Prairie View A&M University
Landen is from Cypress, TX, and graduated from Cypress Ranch High School. He is currently attending Prairie View A&M University as an electrical engineering major. Throughout high school, he has been involved in many extracurricular activities including the Black Student Union, the Pony Up mentorship program, the Economics for Leaders summer internship program, and Jack & Jill of America. His initial interest in STEM began the summer of seventh grade when he attended a 4H-STEM Camp sponsored by Prairie View A&M University. He is grateful for the FOSSI program allowing him the opportunity to work in a field that is focused on forward thinking, continuous growth, exploration, and lifelong learning.
Chanae Davis: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Howard University
Chanae is from Elkton, MD, and graduated from Elkton High School. She is currently attending Howard University as a chemistry major. During high school, she served as president, secretary, and past president of the Interact Club, and held the position of secretary of the Key Club. Both of her parents are STEM educators, who played a significant role in her love for science, particularly biology and mathematics. She is thankful for the FOSSI scholarship and believes that her hard work and unwavering commitment to her goals will propel her toward success.
Aubria King: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Spelman College
Aubria King was born and raised in Newark, NJ, and graduated from Northstar Academy Lincoln Park High School. She is currently attending Spelman College as a biology major. Throughout high school, she served as captain of the cheerleading team, vice president, and senior leader. She was also very active outside of school with internships and public service endeavors. She finished high school with a total of 12 AP classes under her belt, and graduated in the top 10% of her class. She is passionate about STEM and social justice, as she loves helping to improve her community. She ultimately hopes to obtain a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, and work at a major biotech company, like Amgen. Additionally, she aims to establish her own nonprofit that exposes minorities to different careers in biotech, further diversifying the tech industry and inspiring young children of color to chase their dreams.
Gabriel McLendon: 2023 FOSSI Scholar Attending Tuskegee University
Gabriel is from Virginia Beach, VA, and graduated from the Landstown High School Governor’s STEM and Technology Academy. He is currently attending Tuskegee University as a mechanical engineering major. His interest in STEM developed at an early age, when he and his dad would build structures using LEGO bricks. His passion developed further when his dad introduced him to the HBO mini series “From the Earth to the Moon,” about the astronauts and engineers that worked for NASA in the 1960s. Gabriel also developed a passion for aviation which led to him obtaining his private pilot license. Ultimately, he aims to use his passion for STEM to develop new technologies that help mankind and make the world a better place.
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.