2021-08-31: 2021 Out to Innovate Scholarships Awarded to Moss, Sanchez, León, Huit, Phan, and Bryant

PRESS RELEASE

“Out To Innovate Scholarships Awarded”

Scholarships Awarded for LGBTQ STEM Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Aug. 31 2021

Out To Innovate Announces Scholarship Winners

Out to Innovate is proud to announce the winners for the 2021 Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, made possible by an Innovation Generation grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation.

The winner of the 2021 Out to Innovate $8000 Undergraduate Scholarship is Kaylin Moss. Kaylin is studying Computer Science at Marist College. Kaylin is a leader within the Marist College community. She spearheaded the creation and establishment of a National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter, and serves as a liaison between the Fox Pride and Black Student Union organizations. Kaylin hopes to merge her passion for art and computer science and pursue a career in software development. “I am so excited to be the recipient of the $8,000 Out to Innovate scholarship! It is a great relief knowing that I will not have to worry about how to fund my education. This scholarship will enable me to continue to be a trailblazer in technology and a leader in my community.”

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The winner of the 2021 Out to Innovate $3000 Undergraduate Scholarship is Emily Sanchez. Emily is studying Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a Minor in Global Health and Health Policy at Harvard University with the goal to become a physician scientist specializing in pediatric immunology.

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The winner of the 2021 Out to Innovate $8000 Graduate Scholarship is Amelia León. Amelia is working on a Masters of Epidemiology at Florida International University. Amelia researches experiences of intimate partner violence in transgender and cisgender women at the Southern HIV & Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC) Lab. They also are the lead organizer for Reflect Collective, an organization with a mission to raise awareness of sexual assault within the LGBTQA community and provide support for survivors. “I am so honored to have received 1st place for the Out to Innovate Scholarship. This means the world to me. Thank you on behalf of me and on behalf of all LGBTQIA+ survivors. We’re one step closer to justice through STEM initiatives.”

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The winner of the 2021 Out to Innovate $3000 Graduate Scholarship is Zach Huit. Zach is a Clinical Psychology PhD student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. A champion of advocacy and community building, Zach brings this perspective to his research and clinical work with a mission to support sexual and gender minority youth and families to promote resilience and well-being. “I am proud to represent queer and AAPI communities in the field of Clinical Psychology. As a Doctoral Student, this scholarship opportunity will allow me the opportunity to attend a national conference and support my research understanding the well-being and family relationships for transgender and gender diverse youth. Thank you Out to Innovate for your diligent work to support queer students across STEM fields and supporting scientific progress for LGBTQIA communities.”

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Cindy Phan is recipient of a 2021 Out to Innovate Community College Transfer Scholarship for $1500. Cindy is studying Engineering Technology at Chandler Gilbert Community College with a passion for innovating technological solutions and will continue her education in mechanical engineering at Arizona State University. “Describing the emotions felt after receiving the acceptance email is difficult but just know this was just the thing I needed this week. I appreciate all Out To Innovate members’ time and efforts that have been put into an event such as this one! I am very excited to head into this new semester especially now with the financial support and trust from your team. This Out To Innovate scholarship brings light, motivation, and an open path towards success in my college career. The STEM and LGBTQ+ communities are a proud name for me to participate in and dedicate my life to, despite the hardships that come with them. I personally have dedicated much time towards becoming a person I would have needed when I was younger and someone I will need when I am older. Someone strangers, friends and family, or student peers can reach out to for a helping hand, a listening ear, or encouraging words. Your financial support and emotional support will only fuel that fire. I want to thank each and every one of you for believing in not only me, but also our communities. Thank you so much for rewarding me with this scholarship opportunity!“

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Shawn Bryant is recipient of a 2021 Out to Innovate Community College Transfer Scholarship for $1500. Shawn has earned an Associate of Science Degree from Thomas Nelson Community College and is starting this Fall as a Biology major at the College of William & Mary. Shawn is a demonstrated leader and organizer with a bright future in biology. “I am so excited to be a recipient of the Out to Innovate Community College Transfer scholarship. As a non-traditional student, I’m grateful for Out To Innovate’s dedication to empowering LGBTQ+ scientists at every step of their educational journey, and I hope to bring this same dedication with me throughout my career by continuing to organize for queer mental health care and awareness. This scholarship will be extraordinarily helpful to me as I transition to a full-time student at the College of William & Mary this fall, where I will be undertaking my first independent research project studying soil virology. My goal is to someday work with viruses to engineer new varieties of targeted antibiotics.”

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About the Motorola Solutions Foundation
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on the Foundation, visit: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

About Out To Innovate
Out To Innovate (formerly NOGLSTP) was established in 1980, incorporated in the state of California in 1991, and was granted IRS 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status in 1992. Out To Innovate is a professional society that educates and advocates for LGBTQ people in STEM. Out To Innovate presents educational symposia and workshops nationwide and fosters dialog with other professional societies, academia, and industry to facilitate diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Out To Innovate is an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is a sustaining member of the National Postdoctoral Association, a member of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute Presidential Advisory Project’s Coalition, a partner with the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, a partner of the Society for Women Engineers, and a founding member of the DiscoverE Diversity Council. For more information, visit the website at www.noglstp.org or contact scholarships@noglstp.org.