Educator Launches $1.5 Million Scholarship Fund to Advance Equity for Underrepresented Students in STEM
Houston, Texas – November 25, 2025: Dr. Samira Okwiri, a veteran STEM educator and former university provost, today announced the establishment of the Okwiri STEM Equity Fund, a $1.5 million scholarship initiative dedicated to increasing degree completion and career entry for underrepresented minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The fund will award up to $50,000 annually to high-achieving, low-income students from Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, addressing documented gaps in retention and workforce representation.
The launch responds to persistent disparities highlighted in recent federal research. According to the National Science Foundation, Black and Latino workers constitute 28% of the general U.S. workforce but hold only 16% of STEM jobs despite similar initial enrollment rates in STEM majors . A 2024 National Academies consensus study further revealed that while underrepresented minority students enter STEM programs at rates comparable to their peers, approximately 40% of Black STEM majors and 37% of Latino STEM majors switch fields before earning a degree—a significantly higher attrition rate than white students . The Okwiri Fund specifically targets this “leaky pipeline” by combining financial aid with mandatory mentorship, paid research internships, and career pathway navigation.
“Economic barriers don’t just block access—they silence potential,” said Dr. Okwiri, founder and executive director of the Okwiri STEM Equity Fund. “This fund ensures that a student’s zip code or family income never determines whether they become a computer scientist or a civil engineer. We’re not just writing checks; we’re building infrastructure for lasting success.”
The initiative is modeled on evidence-based interventions identified by the NSF’s S-STEM program, which funds scholarships to support academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need to enter the U.S. workforce following completion of STEM degrees. The Okwiri Fund allocates 80% of its annual budget directly to student scholarships, with the remainder supporting wraparound services including faculty-led research placements and industry networking summits.
Market data underscores the urgency of targeted intervention. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects STEM occupations will grow 10.4% through 2033, almost three times faster than non-STEM sectors, yet the nation faces a projected shortage of 2 million qualified workers by 2025 . Moreover, research from the National Science Board shows that women of color earned just 16.3% of all bachelor’s degrees across STEM disciplines in the 2020–21 academic year, despite representing over one-third of the U.S. female population . The Okwiri Fund will prioritize applications from first-generation college students and those attending minority-serving institutions, where resource gaps remain most acute.
Beyond financial aid, scholars will participate in a structured two-year cohort program featuring monthly professional development workshops, pairing with executive mentors from Fortune 500 tech firms, and guaranteed placement in summer research experiences at partner universities. Fund administrators will track retention, graduation, and job placement metrics, with results published annually to contribute to national best practices for diversity in STEM education.
Applications for the inaugural 2026–27 cohort open January 15, 2026, with awards announced by April 1. Eligible students must be U.S. residents, enrolled full-time at accredited four-year institutions, maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA, and demonstrate unmet financial need as defined by federal FAFSA guidelines. Up to 30 scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per year will be granted.
About the Okwiri STEM Equity Fund
Founded in 2025, the Okwiri STEM Equity Fund is a Houston-based nonprofit organization committed to dismantling systemic barriers in STEM education. Led by educators and industry executives, the fund invests in high-potential, low-income students from underrepresented communities through scholarships, mentorship, and career development programming, Educator Launches Scholarship Fund for Underrepresented Students in STEM with a goal of doubling the number of minority STEM graduates from partner institutions by 2030.
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