Underrepresented Student Scholarship Fund
The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and the CGIF partnered in 2020 to create the Underrepresented Student Scholarship Fund to embrace diversity and break down racial barriers that exist within the materials science industry. This scholarship fund has already provided awards to students who are a part of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers (SHPE). In the future, ACerS/CGIF plans to grow this initiative to embrace even more students in the materials science profession.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
The National Society of Black Engineers was founded in 1975 to encourage collegiate and pre-collegiate students in engineering and technology. NSBE currently has more than 6,000 chapters in the U.S. with more than 24,000 active members. The mission of NSBE is "to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."
Megan Bynoe of the Rutgers School of Engineering received the 2023 scholarship on behalf of NSBE. Learn more about Megan here!
“I think the beauty of bringing in diversity is that you’re always going to have different diversity of thought with that, too."
—Megan Bynoe
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
The Society for Hispanic Engineers was founded in 1974 to foster Hispanic leadership in the STEM field. SHPE currently has nearly 300 chapters in the U.S. with an annual National Convention drawing in about 6,000 students and professionals. SHPE "changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development."
Alejandra Almaraz and Fernanda Garcia received 2023 ACerS/CGIF scholarships on behalf of SHPE. Learn more about Alejandra and Fernanda here!
“I just think it’s super important to have all the different perspectives and for young minds to be able to see that people of color and women are welcome in fields that are traditionally white male dominated.”
—Alejandra Almaraz
“Support comes in so many different shapes. Something that I encourage a lot of women to do is to get into science and to try it out and see if that’s for them.”
—Fernanda Garcia
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of students?
Consider donating directly to the Underrepresented Student Scholarship Fund today.