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The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative Welcomes 151 Inaugural Scholarship Recipients

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Kelly Montes de Oca
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WASHINGTON (August 18, 2021) – The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is thrilled to welcome the inaugural class of FOSSI scholarship recipients, chosen from more than 1,700 applicants. The 2021 FOSSI scholars represent 28 states across the nation and plan to major in 17 unique STEM majors at 26 at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation, FOSSI is a national chemical industry-wide program which provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at HBCUs. FOSSI also connects these students to leadership development, mentoring and internship opportunities at more than 40 sponsoring companies.

Mark Vergnano, Chemours Chairman of the Board and FOSSI Founding Chairman
The 151 students chosen for this year’s Future of STEM scholars represent some of the brightest and most ambitious students from across the country, and we are thrilled to recognize and reward their achievements.

"Today’s world faces enormous challenges, from tackling climate change to enhancing our nation’s infrastructure and ensuring the safety of our country against cyberattacks. The skills, talent and diverse backgrounds of our scholars will help unlock the innovative solutions to make the world a better place for us all,” Vergnano continued.

The scholarship recipients were invited to participate in a virtual welcome celebration on July 30, featuring remarks from the FOSSI Founding Partners, opportunities for scholars to network with each other and the FOSSI sponsors, and a keynote presentation from Dr. Christine Grant, Professor of Chemical Engineering and the Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement in the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University. Grant is also the founder of STEM Resilience, which provides resources to individuals pursuing STEM careers, and president-elect of AIChE.

In accepting a FOSSI scholarship, Nia Richardson, a future Environmental Science major at Howard University, stated, “This scholarship will make a huge difference in my education. With such a huge investment in my career and a group of people to help guide me along the way, doing well in school is a given.”

Having exceeded the program’s ambitious initial goal to fund 150 scholarships in 2021, FOSSI aims to support 1000 students in future years. Applications for 2022 FOSSI scholarships will open October 1.

To learn more about FOSSI, visit FutureofSTEMscholars.org.

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.

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