Seventeen students from the University of Georgia received Fulbright invitations for the academic year 2024-2025, positioning UGA among the leading institutions for Fulbright U.S. scholars. This marks the third consecutive year—and the seventh instance in 12 years—that UGA has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. scholars.
Out of the 17 UGA students and recent graduates awarded Fulbright prizes for 2024-2025, 13 accepted. Eight are instructing English in nations such as Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan. The remaining five are either studying or engaging in research in Brazil, Colombia, Madagascar, Taiwan, and Tunisia.
“Achieving recognition as a leading producer of Fulbright scholars fills us with pride, highlighting UGA’s commitment to providing a wide range of experiential learning opportunities for our students, and guiding them towards making a positive impact both locally and globally,” stated Maria de Rocher, the campus Fulbright U.S. Student Program advisor and assistant dean as well as the programming director for the Morehead Honors College. “Our students are well-equipped to assume these international roles, thanks to the invaluable efforts of UGA faculty, staff, and administrators, along with our on-campus and off-campus partners.”
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program presents research, study, and teaching opportunities across more than 160 nations for recent college graduates and graduate students. This premier international educational exchange initiative, backed by the U.S. Department of State, aims to foster mutual understanding between the citizens of the U.S. and global communities.
Shrika Madivanan snaps a selfie with her students in a Romanian classroom in January. She is serving as a lecturer in English and American studies at the West University of Timișoara through the Fulbright U.S. student program. (Submitted photo)
Among those recognized at UGA, Shrika Madivanan is presently at the West University of Timișoara in Romania, working as a lecturer in English and American studies. An Honors alumna from Atlanta, Madivanan completed her bachelor’s degrees in international affairs and communications in 2024.
“Building connections with my students has brought me exceptional joy and fulfillment, solidifying my understanding that I am truly pursuing my calling,” she remarked. “Teaching students from varied backgrounds has enhanced my insight into how global educational policies influence learning outcomes, while also reaffirming my dedication to narrowing the gap between policy and practice.”
Leah Whitmoyer is in Tunisia engaged in a variety of agricultural research initiatives through the Fulbright U.S. student program. This image from 2024 shows her conducting fieldwork during a study abroad adventure. (Submitted photo)
Leah Whitmoyer is in Tunisia focusing on several agricultural research initiatives, which include producing compost for an artichoke farmer, sampling well water for salinity, and monitoring aquifers. Additionally, she attended conferences in Egypt and Spain to enhance her understanding of agriculture and water concerns throughout the broader Mediterranean area. An Honors alumna and Foundation Fellow hailing from Tucker, Whitmoyer graduated from UGA in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in biological science. She was recognized as a 2022 Voyager Scholar.
“Currently, I am designing surveys to assess farmers’ willingness to utilize treated wastewater and researching techniques for cultivating peppers used in the famous Tunisian harissa paste,” Whitmoyer shared. “Beyond my research work, I have relished studying the Tunisian dialect of Arabic and discovering the country’s assorted landscapes, ranging from the Saharan terrain in the south to the mountains and cork forests in the north, alongside the breathtaking Mediterranean shoreline.”
Clemencia El Antouri hikes in Taiwan during her tenure as a Fulbright U.S. scholar. Currently, she is imparting English lessons at a small elementary school in New Taipei City. (Submitted photo)
Clemencia El Antouri is currently serving as an English teaching assistant in Taiwan. Hailing from Covington, El Antouri graduated in 2024 with bachelor’s degrees in international affairs and romance languages. She was a 2024 Pickering Fellow.
“Every day, I teach English at a small primary school in New Taipei City,” she explained. “In the evenings, I either participate in Mandarin classes or pursue new interests such as dance courses or visits to the archery range. My experience in Taiwan has provided me with a renewed sense of purpose and introduced me to a community that I could never have encountered in the U.S.”
The Morehead Honors College provides support to all UGA students and recent graduates interested in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Below are the names, majors, and countries of the 11 UGA students and alumni who received Fulbright offers for 2024-2025 as English teaching assistants.
- Defne Bozbey; psychology, German; Germany
- Mary Breen; history, mathematics; Indonesia
- Lillian Dammann; international affairs, Spanish; Bulgaria
- Clemencia El Antouri; international affairs, romance languages; Taiwan
- Lyla Gahl; economics; Kazakhstan
- Meghan Hawley; English, Spanish; Spain
- Shrika Madivanan; international affairs, communications; Romania
- Ava Wong; Double Dawg with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education; Spain
- Claire Armstrong; sociology; Taiwan
- MaryQuinn Mills; Asian languages & literature, international affairs; Taiwan
- Taylor Potter; pursuing a master’s degree in narrative media writing; Poland
Six UGA students and alumni were awarded Fulbright offers for 2024-2025 for research or study. They are named below with their majors and respective countries.
- Natasha Dorr-Kapczynski; Asian languages & literature, Romance languages; Taiwan
- Gabrielle Langhorn; pursuing a doctorate in anthropology and integrative conservation; Brazil
- Nicole Rowley; pursuing a doctorate in anthropology; Madagascar
- Chelsea Thorpe; UGA alumna currently earning a doctorate in politics and international studies at the University of Cambridge; Colombia
- Leah Whitmoyer; biological science; Tunisia
- Colin Peterson; pursuing a doctorate in ecology; Madagascar
Since its establishment in 1946, over 400,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines from the U.S. and over 160 other nations have participated in the Fulbright Program. Additional information regarding the Fulbright U.S. Student Program can be found at https://us.fulbrightonline.org/.
For further details about UGA’s initiatives in assisting students with their applications for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, reach out to Maria de Rocher at [email protected].
The article UGA named a top producer of Fulbright students was initially published on UGA Today.