Investing in tomorrow’s chemists—today

Programs that lower financial barriers and expand mentorship are essential to the future of the chemistry enterprise.Recently, an email from my alma mater arrived inviting me to my 30th reunion. As I reflect on those years—late nights, long hours in the lab, cold pizza, and lifelong friendships—I feel deep gratitude, knowing not everyone gets the chance to attend college. As a first-generation student from a low-income household, I dreamed of college, and while chemistry came naturally to me, paying for it did not. I was fortunate to receive an extraordinary financial aid package, but I still worked long hours, often sacrificing my grades. At times, finishing college felt uncertain.And yet, here I am.My story is not unusual—and that is the point. When I trace the path back, it always leads to two things: people who believed in me and an institution that made it financially possible for me to stay.One of those people, my undergraduate mentor Professor Fuller-Stanley, encouraged me to stay in chemistry and welcomed me into her research lab at a time when I was unsure if I belonged. She saw potential in me before I fully recognized it and helped me envision a future in science. Mentors do more than teach experiments—they help students see themselves as scientists. I went on to earn my PhD and build a career I love. But I know how close I came to a different outcome—and how many talented students never receive the support that makes scientific careers possible. Programs like