On Wednesday, July 16, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) delivered a warm virtual welcome to 131 new FOSSI scholars—a celebration that brought together students, families, friends, and corporate partners from across the country.
Opening remarks from Mark Costa
The event kicked off with FOSSI Advisory Board Chair and Chairman & CEO of Eastman, Mark Costa, who congratulated the new class and highlighted the exciting opportunities awaiting them in the chemical industry. Emphasizing the $100K+ starting salaries and the meaningful impact STEM professionals make on the world, Costa encouraged scholars to embrace the unexpected: “Stay open-minded – work as hard as you can, do the best you can in the moment, and great things will follow.”
Empowering message from Ashley Christopher
Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, followed with an empowering message that resonated throughout the virtual room: “You were handpicked to be here. You deserve to be here.”
She urged students to take full advantage of all the FOSSI program offers— events, mentoring, internship opportunities, and exposure to career pathways—and left them with a memorable charge, “If I could leave you with one small piece of advice it’s this: don’t take no for an answer.”
Watch the video below to share in the excitement of FOSSI’s class of 2025!
Program overview
Next, Adrienne Blanks, FOSSI’s Manager of Scholar Engagement and Education, walked the class through the program’s benefits and expectations. She highlighted opportunities for networking, mentoring, internships, and career growth before introducing a panel of recent graduates.
The panel included Nina Johnson (Alabama State University, Computer Science – SABIC), Carol Akpan (Prairie View A&M University, Chemical Engineering – Shell), Ashlyn Taylor (North Carolina A&T State University, Civil Engineering – Chevron Phillips Chemical), and Brandis Nathan (Prairie View A&M University, Chemical Engineering – Dow). They shared lessons from their journeys and offered practical guidance to help the new class succeed.
Alumni perspectives
During the alumni panel, students heard a range of advice on navigating both challenges and opportunities in their academic and professional journeys. Panelists emphasized resilience, balance, mentorship, and the importance of focusing on one’s own path.
“Don’t panic over setbacks—I failed two classes in one semester and still graduated with a 3.74 GPA,” shared Nina Johnson, underscoring that persistence pays off.
Ashlyn Taylor encouraged students to be intentional with their time and outlook: “Learn time management early, take advantage of opportunities, and remember: comparison kills joy. Focus on your journey.”
The conversation also touched on the importance of maintaining balance. “Make time for hobbies. Balance is key—I burned out until I learned to recharge,” noted Carol Akpan.
Finally, the value of mentorship came through strongly. “Corporate mentoring transformed my whole experience. Lock in, show up, and stay close with your mentor,” reflected Brandis Nathan, echoing a theme repeated throughout the discussion.
Closing message from AIChE's Victor Bohnert
AIChE Interim CEO Victor Bohnert closed the celebration with an inspiring message: “Focus on the job you have today and do it as best you can, but do it with an eye to tomorrow. If you do it well, other opportunities will come to you. And put yourself out there; it’s difficult, but it’s the single greatest thing you can do.”
We invite companies not currently supporting FOSSI to build their pipeline of outstanding and diverse talent by supporting a FOSSI scholar. Learn more.
Future FOSSI scholars, your journey starts now. The 2026 application opens Friday, September 26.