Celebrating Excellence: The Inaugural Lance R. Collins MAC Scholar
AIChE® and AIChE Foundation is proud to announce Michael Amaya-Daniel as the inaugural recipient of the Lance R. Collins MAC Scholar Award, a prestigious accolade recognizing exceptional promise and achievement among underrepresented chemical engineering students. Michael, a senior at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry and a concentration in Materials.
This is very exciting—thank you for this opportunity!" - Michael Amaya-Daniel, Collins MAC Scholar Awardee, Senior at UAB Huntsville
The Lance R. Collins Scholars Fund was established within the Henry T. & Melinda C. Brown Endowment for the Education of Underrepresented Minority Chemical Engineers. Building on the legacy of the Minority Affairs Community (MAC) Scholarship, the Collins Scholar designation celebrates the most exceptional applicant among the 30 MAC Scholars selected annually. The award reflects AIChE’s commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive chemical engineering profession.
The Collins Scholar receives a $1,000 scholarship, complimentary attendance at the AIChE Annual Student Conference, a $500 travel stipend, and enrollment in the AIChE Peak Leadership Program or Leadership Equity in Engineering (LEE) Program . These opportunities support recipients in building their professional skills, expanding their networks, and achieving their aspirations. In addition, scholars are introduced to the MAC leadership and invited to participate in MAC’s vibrant calendar of activities, creating a space for connection and belonging within AIChE.
Michael expressed his excitement and gratitude for being chosen as the 2024 Collins Scholar: "This is very exciting—thank you for this opportunity!" Michael's academic and leadership accomplishments underscore his dedication to the field. His selection as the inaugural Collins Scholar highlights his potential to make a lasting impact in chemical engineering.
The Collins Scholars Fund aligns seamlessly with the Brown Endowment’s vision to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups. Established by Henry T. and Melinda C. Brown, the endowment is a cornerstone of AIChE’s “Doing a World of Good” campaign, supporting initiatives like the MAC Scholarship to attract and retain the brightest minds from diverse backgrounds.
Michael’s recognition is both a celebration of his achievements and a reflection of AIChE’s ongoing efforts to create pathways for underrepresented students to thrive in engineering. His story reminds us of the power of community support and mentorship in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
As Michael steps into the next phase of his journey, we eagerly anticipate the outstanding contributions he will bring to the chemical engineering profession. Congratulations to Michael Amaya-Daniel, the 2024 Lance R. Collins MAC Scholar!
Collins Fund will accelerate Brown Endowment with the selection of a Collins ...
In collaboration with the Brown Endowment, Lance Collins is enhancing AIChE’s ability to open doors to all who aspire to be chemical engineers and pursue their dreams. Annually, a MAC Scholar will also be recognized as a Collins Scholar.
Fully Endowed Fellows Fund Fuels K-12 STEM Outreach
Through the incredible generosity of the AIChE Fellows community, over $50,000 has been endowed to expand the K-12 STEM Ambassador Program. Part of the Bee a ChemE initiative, this program has already reached over 300 students and will now extend to an eighth school, empowering underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of innovators. This milestone highlights the transformative power of collective action in creating a brighter, more inclusive future for chemical engineering.