The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrates its 2025 class of 131 FOSSI scholars! Since its inception, FOSSI has awarded over 860 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 2025 class
Ashley Charles: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending Prairie View A&M University
Ashley Charles is from Houston, Texas, and graduated from Victory Early College High School. She is now a freshman at Prairie View A&M University, majoring in chemical engineering. Ashley’s interest in STEM grew from her love of hands-on lab work and the excitement of connecting science with math to understand how things work.
Throughout high school, she served in leadership roles including Historian for Student Council and Secretary of both the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She is also a member of the NAACP Houston Chapter, the Science National Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America. Ashley’s faith, determination, and passion for service drive her goal to develop cleaner, safer water systems for underserved communities while mentoring young Black girls in STEM.
Bryant Hunter: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending North Carolina A&T State University
Bryant Hunter is from Pearland, Texas, and graduated from Shadow Creek High School. He is now a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering. Bryant’s passion for STEM began in fifth grade when he competed in his first Seaperch Underwater Robotics Tournament, where he built and piloted a rover through an obstacle course. The experience sparked his love for engineering and hands-on problem solving.
Throughout high school, Bryant stayed active in academic clubs, community service, and athletics—experiences that strengthened his leadership and teamwork skills. Inspired by his parents’ perseverance and faith, he hopes to use his education to make a lasting impact as a chemical engineer while serving as a role model in his community.
Christopher Mbah: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending Howard University
Christopher Mbah is from Beaverton, Oregon, and graduated from Westview High School. He is now a freshman at Howard University, majoring in chemical engineering. Christopher discovered his passion for chemistry in high school, inspired by his teacher’s enthusiasm for lab experiments. His involvement in band, track and field, and the National Honor Society helped him develop discipline and teamwork—qualities he now carries into his studies. With a deep interest in food science, Christopher hopes to one day help create healthier, more transparent food products that benefit communities everywhere.
Brea McGinnis: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending North Carolina A&T State University
Brea McGinnis is from Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. She is now a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering. Brea’s passion for STEM was sparked at Toyota’s Girls Engineering Day, where she learned from women engineers and discovered how creativity and problem solving intersect in the field.
In high school, Brea was deeply involved in STEM programs, athletics, and community service, serving as basketball captain and taking part in organizations like STEMulates and the Black Student Union. Recognized as a Central Kentucky Youth Salute Outstanding Leader and Academic All-State honoree, she hopes to use her chemical engineering degree to create innovative products in medicine or cosmetics while inspiring other young women in STEM.
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