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
D’ondre Anderson: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending North Carolina A&T State University
D’ondre Anderson is from York, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Northeastern Senior High School. He is now a third-year student at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering. D’ondre has a strong interest in innovation and sustainability and enjoys tackling complex problems with a hands-on, collaborative approach. Inspired early on by engineering creators like Mark Rober and The Backyard Scientist, he developed a passion for building, experimentation, and understanding how materials interact. Looking ahead, he hopes to lead sustainability-focused projects in the energy industry, helping develop cleaner, more efficient processes that reduce environmental impact.
Christian Frye: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending North Carolina A&T State University
Christian Frye is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering with a focus on medical applications. He is passionate about using science to drive meaningful change in underserved communities and is deeply committed to leadership, mentorship, and service. Receiving the FOSSI scholarship affirmed both his hard work and his belief that his dreams are valid. In the future, Christian hopes to lead innovation at the intersection of bioengineering and health equity while mentoring Black, queer, and first-generation students and creating space for others to thrive authentically in STEM.
Isis McKinstry: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending Tuskegee University
Isis McKinstry is from Huntsville, Alabama, and is a freshman at Tuskegee University with a dynamic blend of interests in STEM, media, and self-expression. A natural people-person, Isis discovered her love for chemistry through her honors chemistry class in high school, where experiments and problem-solving sparked her curiosity and confidence. Outside the classroom, she is a content creator with over 600,000 followers across social platforms and has turned her creativity into a growing business. Inspired by leaders like Kamala Harris, Isis is driven to stay true to herself while pursuing success and making an impact in STEM.
Ra’Niah Rogers: 2025 FOSSI scholar attending North Carolina A&T State University
Ra’Niah Rogers is from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering. Her passion for STEM grew through hands-on science experiments, strong performance in math and science, and volunteering at camps that introduce younger students to STEM. Receiving the FOSSI scholarship was a deeply emotional moment for Ra’Niah, providing both financial relief and renewed motivation. She hopes to work on advanced technologies such as biodegradable materials, collaborate with diverse engineering teams, and expand representation by supporting and mentoring future Black engineers.
Join us in shaping the future of STEM. Discover how your company can create a lasting impact on tomorrow’s leaders as a FOSSI sponsor.
If you know any high school seniors who are eligible for the FOSSI scholarship, please encourage them to apply here! The application deadline is January 15, 2026.
