N.C. A&T to Receive Part of $5M Dow Investment in HBCUs

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Nov. 18, 2020) – Dow announced today it is investing more than $5 million in historically Black colleges and universities, including North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, for programming, partnership and support to enhance the Black STEM talent pipeline.

Along with A&T, Florida A&M University, Howard University, Prairie View A&M University and Southern University are included in this effort.

“Representation and diverse perspectives are key drivers for innovation and business success,” said Karen S. Carter, chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer for Dow Inc. “This investment shows our commitment to strengthening and diversifying the American manufacturing and STEM pipeline and attracting a workforce equipped to lead our company into the future.”

This investment is seeded by an initial $500,000 contribution in 2020 as part of the Dow ACTs commitment designed to address systemic racism and inequality in the areas of advocacy, community and talent. The company is investing an additional $4.6 million to expand support through 2024 in the following areas:

• Investing to inspire and attract underrepresented minorities to STEM disciplines by supporting STEM programming, including a partnership and additional $250,000 grant to Project Lead The Way in support of the development of teachers and students at schools near our HBCU partners.
• Investing to retain and develop Black students in STEMby developing curriculum and supporting sustainable chemistry, green chemistry and functional disciplines, such as supply chain, finance and engineering.
• Investing to build the Ph.D. pipeline of Black student talent by supporting undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research programs. This includes funding year-long research experiences, providing Dow mentors, networking opportunities with graduate schools and exposure to industrial research.
• Investing in the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)by underwriting the education of ten students per year pursuing STEM degrees at HBCUs. Funding will provide scholarships, mentoring opportunities, and internship placements. 

A fully inclusive workplace and world is imperative to effectively doing business as a global company. Dow continues to champion inclusion, diversity and equity; and through our partnerships, we aim to expand opportunities and provide support to those pursuing STEM careers.