FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Chris, and I’m from Beaverton, Oregon. I’m extremely excited to be attending Howard University, where I plan to major in Chemical Engineering. I’ve lived on the West Coast my whole life, but I’m thrilled for this massive change. In my opinion, there’s no better time than college to “test drive” a new state. Not only will I experience a change in scenery, but I’ll be exposed to so much more culture and diversity, which will be incredibly fulfilling.
During high school, I was deeply involved in the band program, participating in jazz, marching, and concert ensembles while serving as section leader during my junior and senior years. I also competed on the track & field team and was a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, I love to rollerblade, play video games, listen to music (especially Afrobeat and R&B), and I enjoy portrait photography.
FOSSI: What moment or experience sparked your love for STEM?
Going into high school, I was convinced I’d major in computer science. I loved technology, and since my dad had a degree in computer engineering, it just made sense. However, my sophomore year chemistry class changed everything. I fell in love with chemistry thanks to my amazing teacher, Mr. Gonzales—someone I’ll never forget. He made every lesson engaging and fun, even when we were learning completely new concepts. I looked forward to that class every day, especially on lab days.
I still remember one of my favorite labs: titration. I was so competitive, determined to get the lightest pink color in the entire class (and I succeeded!). To me, chemistry is a way to understand how the world works down to the atomic level, which is exactly why I’m so excited to pursue my degree in it.
FOSSI: What did it feel like when you found out you received the FOSSI scholarship?
When I got the call from FOSSI about my scholarship, I didn’t react at first. I quickly declined after glancing at my screen, assuming it was just another telemarketer who’d gotten hold of my number. Curious, I looked down to see where the call came from. The moment I read “FOSSI,” my heart dropped. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I’d potentially just declined one of the most important calls of my life. I immediately called back and felt deeply relieved when someone answered. After hearing I’d been selected as a scholarship recipient, I wasted no time calling my mom, dad, and girlfriend to share the news. My mom instantly burst into tears, saying, “It was meant to be.” Just two days earlier, I’d finally decided to attend Howard instead of my local state school (best decision of my life).
FOSSI: Who inspires you—and what have they taught you about what’s possible?
My father has always emphasized the importance of education, starting when I was young. Every year, he’d buy me a new grade-level workbook and assign daily problem sets. As you can imagine, I hated it. But looking back now, I know this approach shaped me into the high-functioning student I am today. (And I’ll probably make my children do the same thing.) My father has also led by example in education. Coming from Nigeria, he jumped straight into the U.S. education system and earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he recently returned to school and earned a master’s degree in Data Science with a near-perfect GPA. I aspire to be half the person my dad is, and I hope to follow his footsteps in my educational journey.
FOSSI: What kind of impact do you hope to make ten years from now?
Alongside my degree in Chemical Engineering, I’m also planning to pursue a minor in Nutritional Sciences. With this background, I hope to work behind the scenes at a major food corporation as a food scientist. My goal is to research and develop new foods and products that benefit the general public while remaining easily accessible. Today, when you walk into any store and flip over a food package, the ingredient list reads like a chemistry textbook—full of chemicals most people can’t even pronounce. I want to change this. Consumers deserve to understand what they’re putting in their bodies, and that should be the bare minimum. I know tackling such a widespread issue won’t be easy, but I can already picture the fulfillment I’ll feel seeing my products on store shelves, actually making a difference.
FOSSI: What are some surprising or unique facts about you?
People who know me understand that once something captures my interest, I dive headfirst into exploring every corner of it. Take last week, for example—my girlfriend and I tried indoor rock climbing for the first time. We had such an incredible (yet exhausting) experience that I immediately started researching monthly memberships and beginner classes. Whether it’s picking up rollerblading and mastering six new tricks in a week, diving into portrait photography and shooting senior photos for seven friends, or racking up 10,000+ views in a month, I’m constantly seeking my next adventure. This drive is exactly why I’m so excited to start college in the fall.
Watch the video below to hear more from Christopher about why he's excited to be a FOSSI scholar.
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