106 www.blackeoejournal.com Black EOE Journal
HIGHER EDUCATION
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eading organizations in the chemical and affiliated industries under the Future of STEM Scholar Initiative (FOSSI) have raised over $17 million to fund students attending HBCUs. The money will provide $40,000 scholarships to over 350 students studying the STEM field at HBCUs. FOSSI is a national chemical industry-wide program that provides scholarships to students pursuing STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), helping to eliminate financial barriers for historically underrepresented groups. Sponsored by chem- ical manufacturers and related industry stake- holders, FOSSI provides $10,000 per year for four years to scholarship recipients and connects these students to leadership devel- opment, mentoring and internship opportuni- ties at participating companies. FOSSI was founded in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation. In its inaugural year, FOSSI provided 151 scholarships. This fall, the program will fund an additional 144 scholarships, bringing the program closer to its goal of 1,000 scholar- ships through 2025. Jadyn Fleming, an Arkansas native and 2021 FOSSI scholarship recipient attend- ing Spelman College, shared why receiving this scholarship was important: FOSSI is
The Future is Bright for STEM Scholars at HBCUs
helping not only me but also HBCU students nationwide to pursue their goals By allevi- ating a portion of the financial burdens that I am facing, FOSSI has invested in the future of STEM. FOSSI Chairman and former CEO of The Chemours Company, Mark Vergnano, noted the importance of FOSSI in helping to create a diverse future workforce. With an ambitious goal of funding 1,000 HBCU students, FOSSI aims to have a meaningful impact on the future workforce. These talented scholarship recipi- ents bring new and diverse perspectives to help innovate the solutions that will address global challenges like clean energy and cli- mate change. Notably, FOSSIs support goes beyond inancial assistance, connecting students with nearly 60 corporate sponsors and a four- year skills development program, providing leadership training, mentoring and internship opportunities at supporting organizations. Carlton Carter, a rising sophomore at Southern University and A&M College from Georgia shared, It made a big differ- ence, knowing I could count on that funding. Plus, the mentoring program has been very helpful. Its given me insight into how busi- ness works and what I can expect once I finish my degree. FOSSI will continue its efforts in the 2023 school year, with applications opening on September 23, 2022. For more information on how you can apply, visit futureofstemscholars. org.
Source: American Chemistry Council
FIFTH MEDIA
Students Entering HBCU Week College Fair in Wilmington, Del. FOSSI Sponsored Lunch & Learn "Unleash your Superpowers with a STEM Major" moderated by Dr. Kimberly Wise White, American Chemistry Council, Double HBCU Graduate - Texas Southern University.
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