Chem Scholars
The Chem Scholars Program was established in 2011 to recruit and retain high-achieving chemistry students and to increase the number of chemistry students pursuing PhD or MD-PhD degrees. Students involved in the program meet monthly to learn about summer research programs and post-baccalaureate opportunities, receive career advice, participate in peer-to-peer mentoring, and receive professional development and mentoring from Chemistry faculty.
The Chem Scholars program is designed to support high-achieving students based on academic merit. Students must meet the following criteria:
- Full-time Chemistry students maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Demonstration of academic competency in Chemistry and/or research productivity
- Interest in pursuing a career in chemistry or a graduate or professional degree beyond UWF
- Participation in outreach/mentoring activities relevant to the study of Chemistry
- Taken General Chemistry I
Spring 2025 Chem Scholars applications are open now! They are due Tuesday, February 11, by 8:00 a.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Brock at sbrock1@uwf.edu.

Program Highlights
The learning community is modeled after the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, which was established by Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program directed by Dr. Michael Summers, a UWF Chemistry alumnus. The program incorporates four key components: academic and social integration; knowledge and skill development; support and motivation; and monitoring and advising.
The Chem Scholars Program has positively impacted the entire department by catalyzing an increase in the number of chemistry majors and the percentage of all majors matriculating to graduate school.
“The success of the Chemistry Scholars Program is a direct reflection of our chemistry faculty’s passion for educating students through intense mentoring in combination with our students' fervent motivation to achieve their goals,” said Molek. “This combination creates an environment where students learn about research, scholarship and outreach opportunities, how to distinguish themselves from their peers, and how to network with scientists at national conferences.”
For more information, please contact:
Karen Sinclair Molek, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Chemistry
University Fellow for Advancement, Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, MARC U*STAR Scholars, NIH U-RISE Scholars, UWF STEM Scholars, and Chemistry Scholars Program Director
Brandon Fultz, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Chemistry
Chem Scholars Co-Director, Chem Club Faculty Advisor, UWF STEM Scholars Faculty Mentor
bfultz@uwf.edu
850.474.2741
Sandy Brock
Program Coordinator, Chem Scholars, NIH U-RISE Scholars, and STEM Success
Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
sbrock1@uwf.edu
850.857.6244