The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrates its 2024 class of 150 FOSSI scholars! Since its inception, FOSSI has awarded over 740 exceptional high-school seniors $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 per year) to pursue preferred STEM degrees at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
See the video below for an inside look into how FOSSI is changing the lives of these amazing scholars.
Meet more of FOSSI’s 2024 class
Jayla Hunter: 2024 FOSSI Scholar Attending North Carolina A&T State
Jayla is from Lancaster, TX, and graduated from Lancaster High School with an associate degree in science. She is currently a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering at North Carolina A&T State. Throughout high school, she was a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, and captain of the Varsity Softball team. She prides herself on being a dedicated, well-rounded student who strives for excellence in all endeavors. Jayla is grateful for FOSSI’s belief in her potential.
Charlie McAdoo III: 2024 FOSSI Scholar Attending Howard University
Charlie is from Atlanta, GA, and received his International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Druid Hills High School. He is currently a freshman at Howard University, studying mechanical engineering. During high school, Charlie participated in several extracurricular activities and won many awards, including the Brandeis University Book Award for Social Action and Civic Engagement, and the first place award for Outstanding Leadership Portfolio at the 2022 Southeastern Region Teen Leadership Conference. In ten years, he hopes to have his PhD, and be employed as a researcher at at space agency.
Dewayne McKinnnon Jr.: 2024 FOSSI Scholar Attending Florida A&M University
Dewayne is from Washington, DC, and attended Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. He is currently a freshman and mechanical engineering major at Florida A&M. He describes himself as a hardworking, responsible, and reliable student with exceptional people skills. He is excited to pursue mechanical engineering because it’s been his passion to assemble and disassemble pieces and learn how each part fits together and contributes to the overall function of the product. After completing his undergraduate STEM degree, he seeks to use his mechanical engineering knowledge to create and design machines that manufacture products, and continue building newer models and machinery for his business.
Ava Peace: 2024 FOSSI Scholar Attending Tuskegee University
Ava is from Rowlett, TX, and recently graduated from North Garland High School with distinction as an AP scholar. She is currently a freshman at Tuskegee University with plans to major in aerospace engineering. In high school, she served as National Honor Society President and actively participated in numerous organizations and community service initiatives such as city clean-ups, mobile food pantries, and school drives. Ava is passionate about space exploration and desires to use her STEM degree to contribute to humanity’s understanding of the universe.
FOSSI is now accepting applications for 2025. The deadline for high school seniors to apply is January 31. Applications can be submitted at www.FutureofSTEMScholars.org/apply.
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.