FOSSI scholars and sponsors enjoy a great day together at North Carolina A&T State University
FOSSI's Visit to North Carolina A&T State University Sparks Life-Changing Connections
In late January, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) hosted its third on-campus visit, this time to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.—home to 75 FOSSI scholars! More than 40 members of FOSSI sponsor companies and A&T faculty and administrators joined the students in the Deese Ballroom for lunch and networking.
Chase experiences, not a job. Find out where you’re going to get the best development and grow yourself. How can you be better the next day than you were the day before? Be credible — if you say you’re going to do something, do it. Be humble — you have a responsibility to help someone else, just like someone helped you. And take advantage of every opportunity. — Jason McAlpine, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials North America, BASF
During lunch, guests heard remarks from Jason McAlpine, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials North America, BASF; Dr. Leotis Parrish, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Success, College of Engineering; Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder & CEO, HBCU Week Foundation; and Adrienne Blanks, Manager, FOSSI Scholar Engagement & Education Programs, AIChE.
Parrish’s speech highlighted the proud history of the university and the importance of academic excellence, while Christopher spoke about her transformative experience as a double HBCU grad. Blanks reminded scholars, “You are here because you have a gift, and with that gift comes a responsibility to nurture it in order to reap the full benefit of what you have been given.”
McAlpine, a proud HBCU grad, advised students to “chase experiences not a job. Find out where you’re going to get the best development and grow yourself.” He continued, “How can you be better the next day than you were the day before? Be smart and do your research so you can differentiate yourself in an interview. Be authentically who you are. Be credible — if you say you’re going to do something, do it. Be humble — you have a responsibility to help someone else, just like someone helped you. And take advantage of every opportunity.”
Sponsors were invited to take part in a round robin where each offered scholars a two-minute description of their company, highlighting career opportunities and encouraging scholars to be curious and ask questions.
The event wrapped up with scholar comments and questions on a wide range of topics including AI, environmental challenges and solutions, professional development opportunities, and more.
Guests departed the event with much discussion of new connections and future plans for collaboration.
Support FOSSI scholars today.
The Bells are Ringing on Wall Street…for our FOSSI Scholars!
A lucky thirteen FOSSI scholars got the thrill of a lifetime when they were asked to help ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Broadcast on live television, the group gathered on the bell podium with AIChE Executive Director & CEO Darlene Schuster and Dow Senior Vice President John Sampson, to count down to the market close.
Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Welcomes 2023 Class
On Monday, July 31st, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrated and welcomed 132 new FOSSI scholars at a virtual gathering of 300 students, family, friends, and corporate partners. With the addition of the new class, FOSSI now boasts 430 scholars from 32 states who are enrolled at 42 HBCUs across the country.