By T. Lee
Tuskegee University has been named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2022.
For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is recognizing selected HBCUs’ strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years and have promoted Fulbright program opportunities on campus. Tuskegee University is new to the list this year.
The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department as HBCU leaders prepare to gather in Washington, D.C., and virtually for the White House Initiative on HBCUs National HBCU Week Conference, and Fulbright opportunities will be highlighted in events such as the career and recruitment fair during this week.
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield commended the HBCUs receiving the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader designation this year, noting that “HBCUs are an important part of the American and global higher education communities, providing life-changing exchange opportunities for American and international students, faculty, and administrators alike. I hope that these institutions’ success encourages all HBCUs to engage further with Fulbright and with the State Department.”
“This is an exceptional note of distinction,” said President Charlotte P. Morris. “We have always known the caliber of students and faculty whose vigorous academic work influences our society in a variety of areas. This acknowledgment will help our students and the broader community see the enormous value our university brings.”
On Nov. 3, a Fulbright HBCU Virtual Workshop will feature representatives of Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders sharing best practices for HBCUs to leverage Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, and build global networks. This event is open to the public and is specifically designed for HBCU faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
“Our goals for academic excellence mapped out in our Strategic Plan are confirmed once again by this acknowledgment,” said Provost Dr. S. Keith Hargrove. “We are providing academic tools for scholars and researchers to develop and contribute their best work. By supporting this kind of academic brilliance, it confirms our commitment to remain an HBCU that attracts and maintains a strong community of global scholars.”
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 important international problems.
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 is provided by U.S. and foreign host institutions, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, corporate partnerships, and individual donors.
“Over the years, we have had faculty and student Fulbright awardees representing Tuskegee around the globe,” said Dr. Rhonda Collier, director of the TU Global Office, Fulbright Faculty Liaison and Fulbright Program Advisor. “I’m so proud of the work we’re doing to support their study and research.”
- Miriam Hammond (Fulbright ’17), was an English Teaching Assistant in Ruwanda and has completed a graduate degree in Education at Harvard.
- Dr. David McKenzie (Fulbright ’22), was a Fulbright Scholar at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Veterinary Medicine in Ghana. He returned with a signed MOU and two research scholars.
- Drs. Aliyu Muhammad and Omotosho Omolola are two Nigerian Fulbright Scholars being sponsored in the Carver Center for Biomedical Research, led by Dr. Clayton Yates.
- In 2020, Dr. Bababode Adelani, also from Nigeria, conducted his Fulbright research with Dr. Yates.
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.
