DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas (UNT) has been recognized as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2023 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This prestigious designation acknowledges UNT’s significant engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield, applauded the achievements of institutions like UNT. Out of numerous contenders, UNT stood out as one of only 48 institutions nationwide to receive this honor. “Representation matters, and the collaboration between Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the Fulbright Program enhances educational opportunities globally,” Satterfield remarked.
In the coming year, UNT’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni will be embarking on international journeys to teach and conduct research through the Fulbright Program. They will be traveling to various countries, including Israel, South Korea, India, Ghana, Iceland, Germany, and Taiwan, contributing their expertise in diverse fields.
Since its establishment by the U.S. Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Program has aimed to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries through academic and cultural exchange.
UNT’s long-standing relationship with the Fulbright Program is evident in its history of hosting Fulbright Visiting Scholars and Fulbright Foreign Students. Additionally, the university’s faculty and students have actively participated in various Fulbright initiatives, including the Fulbright Scholar, Specialist, and U.S. Student programs. UNT boasts a remarkable record of over 95 faculty and staff named as Fulbright Scholars and Specialists since 1960, and more than 52 Fulbright Student award winners since 1949.
Highlighting the achievements for the 2023-2024 academic year, several UNT members have been recognized:
- Fulbright Scholar Program: Diana Berman, an associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, will collaborate internationally on tribology research. Joseph Oppong, Associate Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School, has led workshops in Ghana on mentoring graduate faculty and establishing student-support-focused graduate programs.
- Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminar to South Korea: Lauren Jacobsen-Bridges, senior director of international student and scholar services, visited South Korea to learn about its higher education system.
- Fulbright Specialist Program: Saraju Mohanty, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, traveled to India to lecture on computer science topics.
- Fulbright U.S. Student Awards: Garrison Gerard, a recent doctoral graduate, received a Fulbright-National Science Foundation Arctic Research Award to study in Iceland. Lorelei Nichols, a recent Bachelor of Arts in English graduate, received an English Teaching Assistant Award to assist in Germany. Odalis Alvarado, a master’s graduate in public administration, also received an English Teaching Assistant Award for Taiwan.
UNT’s Global Engagement Office is facilitating Fulbright Faculty Workshops, and students interested in Fulbright opportunities can learn more during virtual Fulbright Fridays sessions. Those interested in applying for Fulbright awards at UNT should contact Fulbright@unt.edu.