Under Ashland’s Responsible Solvers^™ program, the company has regional programs aimed at expanding the number of students pursuing advanced degrees and STEM careers and broadening participation of women and minorities. For three years, Ashland has sponsored Means to help further her mission to provide hands-on STEM experiences to girls and minorities from underrepresented communities in Delaware. From community center events, tours, a Franklin Institute field trip, and a day of hands-on experiments and learning at Ashland's Wilmington Research Center, the company continues to welcome students and has helped demystify STEM as a discipline and a career. 

"Ashland understands that a thriving STEM workforce is crucial for generating innovative ideas, commercializing patents, and providing the flexibility and critical thinking required to make this world a better place,” said Carolmarie Brown, vice president, corporate affairs, global marketing, brand and business communications, Ashland. “As lifelong passionate problem solvers, we know STEM pervades every aspect of people’s lives. The next generation faces some of the most complex issues humanity has ever faced and unlocking solutions requires a new generation of thinkers and doers. Our solvers of tomorrow will hail from every background, ethnicity, and geography. Jackie provides a much-needed vision for young people, especially girls and minorities, and Ashland is thrilled to continue supporting her critical work in STEM.”

As a rising junior at the University of Delaware, Means plans to attend medical school to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. Her example further encourages the next generation of students to follow their dreams.  

"As I prepare for the Pennsylvania pageant, I want to bring messages about exciting STEM careers for all students and create a pathway for more females to promote STEM in our local schools and communities. People might not realize it, but I have learned so much and benefitted enormously from my work as a STEM advocate. I am excited to influence others to pick up that mantel and have an even bigger impact than I have in the field," said Means.

Because every queen deserves a court, Ashland invited a few of those students to attend her sendoff. Dressed as future scientists, doctors, engineers, astronauts and more, they extended warm wishes to their role model while demonstrating her real impact in Delaware, Pennsylvania and beyond.

“On behalf of all of the solvers at Ashland, we want to thank Jackie for being a guiding light to young students and wish her all the best as she shines bright on the Pennsylvania stage," Brown concluded.

To learn more, visit ashland.com/STEM and ashland.com/pageant.