Program Recognized for Outstanding
Collaboration to Strengthen and Invest in HBCUs
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Future of STEM Scholars
Initiative (FOSSI) was honored today with the White House
Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) 2024 Chairman's Award, part of the Excellence in
Innovation and Collaboration Acknowledgement Awards, presented
during the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference.
The Chairman's Award recipient was chosen by Dr.
Tony Allen, Chairman of the
President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges &
Universities and President of Delaware State
University. The award was presented to FOSSI based on the
program's leadership and meaningful actions to strengthen the
capacity of HBCUs to successfully compete for private and public
sector investment.
Established in 2020 to reduce financial barriers to higher
education and enhance diversity in the chemical industry workforce,
FOSSI provides $40,000
scholarships to students studying preferred STEM degrees at
HBCUs.
Mark Vergnano, Founding Chair of
FOSSI, and Ashley Christopher,
President of the HBCU Week Foundation, received the award on behalf
of FOSSI.
"FOSSI represents a pivotal investment in HCBUs and our
students. From the very beginning, I have watched proudly as
Mark and Ashley open door after door of opportunity for talented
students and strengthen our historically black educational
institutions across the nation," shared Dr. Allen.
To date, FOSSI has raised nearly $40
million to provide over 800 scholarships through 2028.
FOSSI is helping students across nearly 40 HBCUs find
success in their education and in future career pathways. Notably,
FOSSI has a nearly 95% student retention rate in its first
three classes.
Vergnano expressed his gratitude for the recognition, noting, "I
am honored to accept this award on behalf of all the FOSSI Founding
Partners and the 80+ organizations that have dedicated their time
and resources to this impactful program. FOSSI not only strengthens
the academic pipeline but also fuels innovation and builds a
diverse and dynamic future chemical industry workforce.
Christopher noted the value of FOSSI in driving HBCU enrollment,
sharing, "HBCU Week Foundation is immensely proud of the
partnerships we've developed in FOSSI, and its impact in exposing
high-school aged students to the value and legacy of HBCUs,
enabling hundreds of students to follow their dream of attending
these historic institutions."
To learn more, visit www.FutureOfSTEMScholars.org. Applications
for the 2025 scholarship open on September
27.
Future of STEM Scholars Initiative
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative was founded by the
American Chemistry Council, the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers, The Chemours Company, and the HBCU Week Foundation.
FOSSI is a national program which provides scholarships to students
pursuing degrees in relevant science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs). Sponsored by chemical manufacturers and related industry
stakeholders, FOSSI provides recipients $10,000 per year for four years and connects
these students to leadership development, mentoring and internship
opportunities at participating companies.
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SOURCE American Chemistry Council