Empowering Underrepresented Students through the ACS Scholars Program

Corporate donors like Bristol Myers Squibb help prepare students for careers in industry
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ACS wishes to thank the many corporate donors who supported the ACS Scholars Program in 2022. Thanks to the generosity of companies and other philanthropic partners, the program has been providing scholarships and other resources to Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Hispanic college students annually for more than 20 years.

In addition to providing financial support, some corporate donors, including Bristol Myers Squibb, engage their employees to provide one-on-one mentoring support to select ACS Scholars.   

ACS Scholar Kimmia Saunders-Butler, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is one of eight exceptional college students who is benefitting from BMS’ support. “The ACS Scholars Program has been essential to my personal and professional development,” Kimmia says. “My BMS mentor, Senior Associate Scientist Emily Cunningham, assisted me with developing a four-year plan, applying for internships, crafting my résumé and cover letters, and exploring different career paths. I am so thankful for BMS’ support of the program, which provides endless resources for students to help them succeed.”

Kimmia Scholars, ACS Scholar
Kimmia Scholars, ACS Scholar

Late last year, BMS took its support one step further by hosting a virtual career event for all ACS Scholars. During the 90-minute webinar, a diverse group of BMS scientists working in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, computer-aided drug design, and business operations shared information about their current roles and career paths. They also provided their perspectives on identifying and applying for roles at a biopharma company like BMS.

Corporate sponsors of the ACS Scholars Program may also opt to also engage with ACS Scholars via their own internship or co-op programs. Through these connections, companies can potentially identify talented students for recruitment following graduation. Of the more than 3,500 individuals who have participated in the ACS Scholars Program since its inception, many are now established in roles as industry leaders.

For information on how you or your company can support the ACS Scholars Program, contact Robert Moss at r_moss@acs.org

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of their employer or the American Chemical Society.

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