TEAM-UP Together Holds a Celebration of Impact Event
“Talent and potential are found everywhere in all communities. Unfortunately, opportunity is not. Too many young Americans face barriers that seem insurmountable. We need to lower those barriers, and we need to do it together. We may be helping a future Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, or Walter Massey." Dr. Neal Lane, Professor Emeritus, Rice University
The TEAM-UP Together Capital Campaign celebration wasn’t just an event — it was a reminder of what we can accomplish when a community comes together with purpose. Donors, partners, students, and advocates gathered to celebrate the incredible work we’re doing to open more doors for physics and astronomy undergraduate students who face the starkest barriers to earning their degrees.
The evening spotlighted the power of TEAM-UP Together and the urgent need for cultural and structural change in the physical sciences. Speakers like Dr. France Cordova, AIPF Board Chair and former Director of the National Science Foundation, and Dr. Victor McCrary, Vice Chair of the National Science Board reminded us that meaningful, lasting change in the physical sciences requires not just resources but also resolve.
We were also treated to a special virtual message from Dr. Neal Lane, former Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, who called on guests to stay involved and help build a more inclusive future in science.
Because of the generosity of our community, TEAM-UP Together has awarded 165 students a total of $1.65 million in scholarships, helping them persist, flourish, and imagine new possibilities for their careers. We have also given 11 academic departments a total of $2 million to strengthen support systems and foster learning environments where students can thrive.
Together, we are not only improving graduation outcomes; we are building a stronger, more welcoming scientific enterprise. Thank you for standing with us. The impact is real—and it’s just the beginning.
