The program supports academically accomplished African American, Hispanic and Native American students in their pursuit of undergraduate studies in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, environmental science, and related disciplines in two- and four-year college and university programs.
The Program’s manager, Robert Hughes, said the Society “expects to award $850,000 to current and new scholars over the next two semesters.”
According to the Society’s ChemCensus Report, relatively few minorities major in science-related disciplines at the college level. In 2000, for example, those of Hispanic heritage, or 12.5 percent of the U.S. population, represented 2.6 percent of the chemistry workforce; African Americans, at almost 12 percent of the population, comprised less than two percent of the chemical workforce; and Native Americans, representing one percent of the population, made up less than one percent of the chemical workforce.
Since the Scholars Program was launched with a $5 million grant in 1995, over 1,100 students have won scholarships based on a mix of academic achievement and financial need. Students in the program represent 390 colleges and universities in 48 states and territories, according to Hughes.
Program recipients are eligible to receive between $2500 and $3000 per academic year, and many find that top corporations are interested in hiring them after graduation.
“I was really excited,” said La’Techa Johnson, a former participant hired as a plant chemist by PPG Industries in Baton Rouge, La. “I didn’t think I’d be hired right out of college.” The company’s interest in Johnson began when she was a chemistry major at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge.
PPG and other firms including Astra Zeneca, Bayer, DuPont, GlaxoSmithKline and Xerox have all contrtibuted $100,000 or more to the program. Many companies also offer mentoring and paid internships to selected program participants as an integral part of a student’s academic and career development plan.
For more details on the ACS Scholars Program, including an online application form, please visit http://www.acs.org/minorityaffairs or telephone 1-800-227-5558, extension 6250.
The application deadline is March 1, 2002.
What are the eligibility requirements?
The ACS Scholars Program is open to full-time African American, Hispanic, and Native American students in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, and related undergraduate degree programs in two-year or four-year colleges and universities.
Interested students must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and in need of financial assistance, as evidenced by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form available from the U.S. Department of Education or through school financial aid offices. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
What is the deadline for submission of application?
Applications are being accepted for the ACS Scholars Program through March 1, 2002. Eligibility criteria and an application are available at the ACS website, http://www.acs.org/scholars; by e-mail, scholars@acs.org.; or telephone, 800-227-5558, extension 6250.
Why study chemistry?
There has probably never been a more exciting time to study the chemical sciences. Chemists and chemical engineers graduating in 2001 have a wide choice of employment opportunities and are in great demand. Opportunities should remain firm in many areas, including agricultural and food chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials, forensics, and energy.
The median base salary is $34,000 for chemists with bachelor’s degrees, $45,000 for master’s graduates, and $65,000 for new doctorates. For chemical engineers, the median base salary is $50,000 for bachelor’s graduates, $56,700 for those with master’s degrees, and $72,000 for new doctorates.
What are the components of the ACS Scholars Program?
In addition to the financial support of $2500-$3000 per academic year, strong student-mentor relationships are a key factor in the program’s success. The ACS Scholars Program attempts to connect each student with a mentor to provide guidance and support.
Major partners are another important component of the ACS Scholars Program. AstraZeneca, Bayer, DuPont, GlaxoSmithKline, PPG, and Xerox are examples of contributors providing grants of $100,000 or more to the Scholars Program. Companies are a valuable source of volunteer mentors and paid internships, and see their participation in the ACS Scholars Program as part of their long-term commitment to corporate diversity. Twenty-four companies have contributed over $1.5 million to support direct student financial aid.
The ACS Scholars Program also collaborates with other organizations that help prepare young people for education and careers in the chemical sciences. Among such groups are the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
How has the ACS Scholars Program performed over time?
A national study has shown that 65 percent of students of color in science leave their major between freshman and junior year compared to 37 percent of white students. The retention rate for renewable students in the program, and for one-year award recipients who re-apply and win, is 80 percent. Scholarships have been awarded to over 1,100 students representing 390 universities in 48 states and territories.
In 1997, the ACS Scholars Program received the American Society of Association Executive’s Award of Excellence.
Why is the American Chemical Society providing academic scholarships to minority students?
The ACS Scholars Program is an integral contributor to the Society’s mission, which is “to encourage in the broadest and most liberal manner the advancement of the chemical enterprise and its practitioners.” Consistent with the Society’s commitment to set high standards in chemistry education, the ACS Scholars Program supports academically talented African American, Hispanic, and Native Americans students interested in pursuing degrees and careers in the chemical sciences.
How did the ACS Scholars Program begin?
The Scholars Program grew from recognition of demographic data showing a significant and growing lag between the percentage of minorities in the general population and those receiving degrees in the chemical sciences. In 1995, the ACS Board of Directors established a $5 million fund, the ACS Scholars Program, to encourage under-represented students in pursuit of degrees and careers in the chemical sciences.