Purchase Named a 2022 Fulbright HSI Leader
Purchase College is proud to be named a Fulbright HSI Leader for the first time by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
This designation recognizes the noteworthy engagement that selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have achieved with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.
Fulbright HSI Leader status has been conferred on 43 HSIs, including Purchase because they have demonstrated noteworthy engagement with Fulbright exchange participants during the 2021-2022 academic year and have promoted Fulbright Program opportunities on campus.
Purchase is one of only five undergraduate schools selected for this honor.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs Ethan Rosenzweig, speaking on behalf of ECA, which sponsors the Fulbright Program, announced the Fulbright HSI Leaders on October 10 during an international plenary session at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) annual conference in San Diego.
In his remarks, DAS Rosenzweig noted the strong relationship between HSIs and the Fulbright Program stating, “The Fulbright Program’s success with HSIs is built on real collaboration with you and your institutions.”
He thanked HSI leaders for their collaboration and for recognizing the value of the Fulbright Program in deepening campus internationalization efforts, and he recognized Fulbright campus liaisons and advisors for recruiting and advising applicants.
He also commended current Fulbright participants and alumni from and hosted by HSIs for sharing “their expertise, experience, perspective, and enthusiasm with their institutions, their communities, and their societies.”
Purchase College President Dr. Milagros “Milly” Peña, received the Fulbright-Hays/Garcia Robles Research Award for her work studying Latina activists in Mexico and Texas.
“As a Fulbright recipient, my international research provided me with a whole new outlook and a deep appreciation which enriched me both professionally and personally,” says Peña. “I’m proud of the work Purchase is doing to ensure that students and faculty have opportunities for globally-focused education and cross-cultural experiences both here on campus and abroad.”
Recent Fulbright Awards
Students
Caleb Dowden ’21: Fulbright Study Research Award in the Creative/Performing Arts for study in Benin
William Byram ’20: Fulbright Trinity Laban Award in Dance to pursue an MFA in Choreography in the United Kingdom
Scholars
Laura Ricciardi, Assistant Professor of Arts Management and Lecturer in Entrepreneurship in the Arts: Fulbright Award to teach at the University of Messina in Sicily, Italy
Scholars-in-Residence
Marcel Gbeffa, Beninese choreographer and dancer: Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) for the Conservatory of Dance for 2022–23
Fulbright-Hays
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Award: Funds curriculum development and language immersion in Benin for Purchase faculty and area K–12 teachers
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception over 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has given over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas and contributing to finding solutions to complex international challenges.
Each year, the U.S. Congress appropriates funds to the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the Fulbright Program. Many foreign governments contribute substantially as well. Additional funding and in-kind funding are provided by U.S. and foreign host institutions, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, corporate partnerships, and individual donors.
Over many years the Fulbright Program has designed and implemented a wide range of initiatives to increase participant diversity and inclusion. The program strives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad.
Fulbrighters come from all backgrounds and are selected through an open, merit-based competition, regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Information on the Fulbright Program’s diversity and inclusion initiatives is detailed on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.
Visit the Fulbright Program for more information.or email the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office.
Read stories about the positive impact of the Fulbright Program over its first 75 years.