When Alyssa Almaguer was a high school student in the Charleston County School District, she joined the Project Lead the Way program, where she discovered her love for both medicine and engineering. With encouragement from a lead researcher, she decided to study biomedical engineering in college to help improve healthcare, conduct research, and develop new medical technology.

Last year, Almaguer was one of four students selected as a 2024 recipient of the CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship. The award helped her attend Clemson University Honors College, where she is a freshman majoring in bioengineering.

The Council of the Great City Schools, in partnership with Dr. Bernard Harris, is once again offering the CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship for high school seniors in Council member districts who plan to study science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in college.

Named after former astronaut, physician, and businessman Dr. Bernard Harris, the program is open to 2025 graduating seniors from urban school districts represented by the Council. Four $5,000 scholarships will be awarded—two to African American students and two to Hispanic students—to support their college education in STEM fields.

Students must apply online by March 31, 2025. The application is available here. A committee from the Council will review submissions, and Dr. Harris will select the winners, who will be notified in May.

The CGCS-Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship is sponsored by The Peters Pharis Foundation, Harmony Academy, Renaissance Learning, The College Board, MassMutual, and the Harris Foundation.