EESI Announces Recipients of 2025-26 Future Climate Leaders Scholarship

April 2, 2026—The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) congratulates Bryce Dancy of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Cerenity Frederick of Howard University, and Sulaiman Mathew-Wilson of Howard University, the 2025-2026 recipients of EESI's Future Climate Leaders Scholarship. They will each receive $4,000 for their college tuition this academic year.

“Congratulations to Bryce, Cerenity, and Sulaiman, our future climate leaders of 2026,” said EESI Board Chair Jared Blum. “As we seek to address climate change and its impacts on communities, we need to encourage more inclusivity so that no voice is neglected. The clean energy and environmental fields benefit immensely from diverse perspectives, and this scholarship reflects our commitment to make that happen.”

“I’m always so impressed and reinvigorated when I read the candidates’ statements. It’s wonderful to see such enthusiasm and eagerness for positive change. They make me confident in our future,” said EESI Board Vice Chair Linda Church-Ciocci, who also chairs EESI’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

Bryce Dancy is a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he is studying computer science. “My long-term career aspiration is to work at the nexus of computer science and public policy, where technology can directly inform environmental and energy policy decisions,” explained Dancy. He intends to harness emerging technologies and data analytics to address environmental disparities. “I envision developing web-based platforms that monitor air and water pollutants in underserved neighborhoods, accompanied by machine learning algorithms that forecast energy demand in low-income regions. Such tools could produce interactive dashboards and predictive maps, providing policymakers with actionable insights to craft more inclusive, evidence-based solutions.”

Cerenity Frederick, who is studying legal communications in Howard University's pre-law track, has a passion for public service. “I am pursuing a career in environmental law, with a vision to center Black and marginalized communities in the fight for environmental justice,” said Fredrick. “My long-term goal is to become a legal advocate and policy strategist who confronts the intersectional harms of environmental racism, energy inequity, and climate inaction. I am especially passionate about ensuring that frontline communities—those disproportionately affected by pollution, hazardous waste, and climate disasters—are empowered and protected through just and inclusive policy solutions.” Fredrick founded MySwagg Academy, a college readiness program for high school seniors.

Sulaiman Mathew-Wilson is a two-time recipient of the Future Climate Leaders Scholarship. He is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s in environmental studies at Howard University. According to Mathew-Wilson, “Being awarded as a recipient of the 2025 EESI Future Climate Leaders Scholarship not only supported my education and existing work but also empowered me to expand upon these efforts in even more impactful ways, broadening my worldview and reaffirming my commitment to justice.” He aims to be an environmental justice leader, to leverage his “deep interests and commitment in climate, energy, and policy to achieve a sustainable and equitable world for all.”

As part of its commitment to promote and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, EESI launched a scholarship for Future Climate Leaders in November 2021. Every year, EESI awards $4,000 to three undergraduate students pursuing studies relevant to environmental, clean energy, and climate policy at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the mid-Atlantic or southern region. The EESI Future Climate Leaders Scholarship program is managed by UNCF (United Negro College Fund), a philanthropic organization that has raised more than $5 billion since 1944 to provide financial support to its 37 member HBCUs and to fund scholarships and other academic support programs for talented, deserving students.

Applications for the next scholarship award will open in spring 2026 for the fall semester. More information and deadlines for upcoming awards will be posted online.

Learn more about EESI's commitment to promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (www.eesi.org) is an independent nonprofit advancing science-based solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenges. Founded on a bipartisan basis by members of Congress, EESI has been informing policymakers about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental conservation since 1984. In 1988, EESI declared that all energy policy must be examined through a climate lens, which has since guided us toward our vision: a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on X at @UNCF.