USU Fulbright Scholars Celebrated at First Annual Social
October 31, 2018
In September, Utah State University Fulbright scholars joined colleagues, partners and administrators for the first annual Fulbright social at the USU president’s institutional home, hosted by Executive Vice President and Provost Francis D. Galey and the Office of Global Engagement. The social recognized Fulbright scholars, while providing the opportunity to share stories and experiences over hors d'oeuvres served by USU Catering.
The social celebrated USU as a top-producing institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars, with seven Fulbright scholars granted Fulbright awards in the 2017-2018 cycle. Also recognized were the 2018-2019 Fulbright scholar grantees and past Fulbright scholar alumni. There are six USU Fulbright U.S. Scholars awardees out on their Fulbright program or scheduled to leave in the 2018-2019 cycle.
USU’s Fulbright scholars include faculty and staff who have participated in international seminars, teaching, or research through the Fulbright grant program. The university has a rich history of U.S. scholars, with over 30 scholars since 2010, and some faculty awarded multiple Fulbright awards to continue international research and development.
“Fulbright Scholars foster innovation and growth by spreading their knowledge globally and receiving vital research experience while immersed in new cultures,” said Galey, during his recognition of USU scholars. “These fresh perspectives help scholars gain new insights to propel their research forward.”
Vice Provost and Director of Global Engagement Janis Boettinger addressed the university’s strategy for building a community of Fulbright scholars.
“Our message is that a Fulbright award can advance a scholar’s career and personal development, while it internationalizes USU,” Boettinger said. “By cultivating an engaged community of Fulbright alumni and campus liaisons to serve as mentors and resources, we can demonstrate that a Fulbright is not only valuable but attainable.”
The Fulbright liaisons in the Office of Global Engagement have been campaigning for increased awareness of Fulbright programs and successes and urged scholars to promote the program with peers and students. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program applications typically take 18 months to process and, therefore, undergraduate students should start their applications in the junior year to be ready to submit in the beginning of the senior year.
“This year we had an unprecedented 70 percent increase in the number of applications to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program,” said Shelly Ortiz, the Fulbright program leader in Global Engagement. “The vast majority of these candidates were introduced to the Fulbright program by nominations from faculty members.”
Global Engagement supports internationalization efforts by hosting visiting scholars, on-campus short-term international programs, international students and developing study abroad programs. In addition to advising and immigration overview, the office has the authority to sign the Institutional Reply Form when USU faculty host Fulbright Foreign grantees. In October, the office hosted a workshop for faculty interested in hosting visiting scholars. Workshops on application tips for the Fulbright scholar and student programs will be conducted February 21, 2019.
For more information about the Fulbright program contact the Office of Global Engagement at exchangevisitors@usu.edu.
About the Fulbright Program
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships abroad for one academic year to graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals, scientists, and artists. Program participants pursue graduate or professional study, advanced research, or English teaching in elementary and secondary schools or universities. Fulbright U.S. Scholars are early and mid-career professionals and faculty members provided fellowships to serve in placements in a foreign government ministry or institution in partner governments around the world.