Investing With Passion

Building a Global STEM Network 

Entegris, a leader in advanced materials science and a global supplier to the leading manufacturers of semiconductors, relies on a global workforce that has cutting-edge knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas. Committed to deepening and diversifying the STEM talent pipeline, the company launched the Entegris Foundation in 2020 with a mandate to invest $30 million in STEM scholarships for students at colleges and universities in the United States, Taiwan, Japan and Korea by 2030. “We wanted to give back to the communities we serve in, and Texas A&M is part of that,” Entegris Diversity and Employee Engagement Senior Manager Phillip Spencer said. “We want to support the next generation of STEM leaders.” 

To that end, the foundation created two $75,000 Entegris Foundation STEM Scholarships to support top-performing Texas A&M Engineering students from underrepresented populations. Additionally, these students are leaders in campus extracurricular activities.  

The company also offers optional engagement opportunities during the academic year for these scholars as well as summer internships and a co-op program. “We want to provide ways for these students to learn, develop, grow and experience the STEM industry,” Spencer said. “We’ve connected them with different leaders across our company and held workshops to give them insight into what it’s like to be in the STEM world and to work for a very innovative company. Our whole goal is for them to grow a professional network and connect with upcoming STEM leaders around the world.” 

Being a Good Neighbor 

BeachBox Vacation Rentals has experienced exponential growth since the company started in 2017. While initially founded to provide settings to create meaningful vacation memories, the company’s properties recently provided a change of scenery and emotional relief for home-bound individuals during the pandemic. 
 

The Galveston-based company committed to developing community partnerships in early 2022—and Texas A&M University at Galveston was a natural choice. “We see what the university is doing in our community, and we wanted to support it,” said BeachBox Director of Marketing Aaron Martinez. “Texas A&M-Galveston has recently launched a Hospitality and Tourism program—and we’re in the hospitality and tourism business, so we thought it would be a phenomenal partnership.” 

As a result, the company created a BeachBox Endowed Scholarship, which will support Aggies by the Sea pursuing a degree in University Studies: Tourism and Coastal Community Development or Maritime Business Administration. Additionally, the company established a campus and student impact fund that will support student programs, events and projects.  

BeachBox leaders anticipate more opportunities to work together in the future. “Although the partnership is fairly new, we have felt the roots growing deep quickly,” Martinez said. “Different opportunities are being presented that we didn’t expect as part of this partnership. It truly makes us feel valued as a Texas A&M-Galveston partner.” 

Supporting Engineering Infrastructure 

With its top leadership comprised of Aggies, AZZ is always looking for ways to work with and support their alma mater. The company—which specializes in galvanizing, powder coating and painting steel products used in infrastructure—is committed to supporting Texas A&M Engineering.  
 

Most recently, the company established the $50,000 AZZ FGen Scholars Fund, which provides scholarships for first-generation engineering students with financial need. “We love working with Texas A&M and wanted to give back to sponsor a first-generation college student, especially in engineering,” said Trey Quinn ’88, AZZ’s vice president for human resources for galvanizing and metal coating. “AZZ is committed to helping prepare the workforce to create and maintain the infrastructure for bridges, roads and the transmission grid.” 

The FGen Scholars fund expands AZZ’s investment in and partnership with Texas A&M Engineering, which includes a faculty fellowship, a graduate fellowship and a non-endowed scholarship fund. In addition, the company helps give Aggies hands-on experience by participating in research initiatives at the RELLIS Campus’s galvanizing facility. “People often see a finished product, but because they are not familiar with our industry, they don’t understand the importance of galvanizing and coatings,” Quinn explained. "We’re going to need future talent that understands the importance of these processes in extending the life of steel in infrastructure."

Gaining Momentum 

Now in its third year, Cargill’s University Thrive Program is increasing opportunities for minority and underrepresented students at eight institutions, including Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition to scholarship support, Texas A&M’s 77 Thrive Scholars participate in enrichment activities that introduce them to STEM-related opportunities in the agriculture industry and increase their career readiness. 
 

As part of the Thrive cohort, these students are invited to learn more about the global food corporation through opportunities such as virtual conversations with company executives, tours of Cargill plants and strong consideration for internships. “The idea is to expose them to opportunities through Cargill, which also helps them understand and develop the skill sets they can use to seek out those individual opportunities,” said Quincy Wimbish, who works in Cargill’s Talent Acquisition Department. “We want to help students navigate this time of life and provide specific opportunities for support in ways that weren’t available in the past.” 

As the Thrive Program completes its third year, company leaders and university officials are already determining next steps. “Our focus around students who have an interest in STEM comes from our need and desire to be more of a responsible corporate partner,” Wimbish explained. “We want to develop this talent through creating the right foundation and financial support for these groups, who haven’t always had access to careers in agriculture or STEM-related fields.”