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
Jaylah May Israel: 2024 FOSSI scholar attending Delaware State University
Jaylah is from Williamstown, NJ, and graduated from Gloucester County Institute of Technology. She is currently a freshman attending Delaware State University with plans to major in chemistry. Her ultimate goal is to create a cosmetics brand that not only encourages younger generations to embrace their natural hair and skin but also provides them with safe and accessible Black-owned products. She is excited to embark on her journey with FOSSI at Delaware State, and make a positive impact in the beauty industry.
Travis Missick: 2024 FOSSI scholar attending Alabama A&M University
Travis is from Dumfries, VA, and attended Freedom High School. He is currently a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering at Alabama A&M University. During high school, he spent three years as a member of the varsity track and field team, learning invaluable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. He is passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field because it holds the potential to innovate and implement ideas that can address pressing issues such as climate change, healthcare disparities, technological accessibility, and sustainable development. He is thankful for the FOSSI scholarship allowing him to pursue his dreams without the burden of debt.
Jadon Ogala: 2024 FOSSI scholar attending Howard University
Jadon is from Richmond, TX, and graduated from Foster High School. He is currently a freshman majoring in electrical engineering at Howard University. Since the fourth grade when he began learning about electric cars and climate change, Jadon has been passionate about renewable energy. His interest in science and technology continues to grow, and the mission to transition the world to sustainable energy has always resonated deeply with him. He is excited about future opportunities as a FOSSI scholar at Howard and looks forward to learning more about a career in building a sustainable energy future.
Catori Ward: 2024 FOSSI scholar attending Tennessee State University
Catori is from Colombus, Ohio, and graduated from Harvest Preparatory Academy. She is currently a freshman at Tennessee State University majoring in chemistry. In high school, Catori discovered her passion for chemistry and enjoyed every aspect of learning the periodic table, chemical bonding, and balancing equations. In the future, as a cosmetic chemist, she aims to develop a new line of organic, plant-based, cruelty-free cosmetics. Her goals also include creating highly effective skin care products that increase the overall skin health and wellness of African American women. She is more than thrilled to be among the FOSSI class of 2024 scholarship recipients and she’s ready to change the world.
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.