Baylor University Again Named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students

Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959
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WACO, Texas (Feb. 13, 2024) – The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs today recognized Baylor University as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Baylor earned the Fulbright Top Producing Institutions honor for the second consecutive year, which recognizes the University for valuing global connection and supporting members of the Baylor community to pursue international opportunities.

“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community,” said Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over.”

Twelve Baylor students were selected for Fulbright awards for the academic year 2023-24, recognizing Baylor as one of only 56 doctoral institutions with having 10 or more graduates or students selected as Fulbright U.S. recipients. Baylor placed second among all Texas universities and Big 12 schools, after only the University of Texas with 17 Fulbrights, and is the top Texas private university for producing student Fulbright recipients. 

“We are exceedingly proud to be named, for the second consecutive year, a Top Producing Institution for the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program,” said Andrew P. Hogue, Ph.D., associate dean for engaged learning and a Fulbright adviser at Baylor. “We are most proud of what it represents—evidence that, campus-wide, Baylor faculty and staff are succeeding in offering a transformational education that prepares our students for worldwide leadership and service.”

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges.

“Baylor University’s commitment to a truly transformational education includes rich opportunities for students across the disciplines to maximize their education through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and other major fellowships, awards and internships,” President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “We are so proud of our Fulbright recipients, each of whom are studying, conducting research or teaching in nations around the world while enhancing mutual understanding as cultural ambassadors. I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our Office of Engaged Learning – and our world-class faculty – for helping our students flourish globally in such life-changing ways.”

Leading the Fulbright effort on the Baylor campus is the University’s Office of Engaged Learning, which is dedicated to helping students discover and navigate the pathways for students to apply their learning to promote human flourishing, including through the Fulbright U.S. Student program.

“We are positively thrilled for our 2023-24 Baylor Fulbright recipients,” said Daniel Benyousky, Ph.D., director of major fellowships and awards in the Office of Engaged Learning. “Whether teaching English across the world from Colombia to Taiwan, studying in Ireland or conducting research in Hungary, winning a Fulbright award is launching these Baylor students on a lofty trajectory and helping them shape the world around them. The recognition – as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution – demonstrates just how remarkable Baylor students are."

Bright Fulbright future for students and faculty

The University will celebrate Baylor Fulbright Day from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, room 506 of the Cashion Academic Center, sponsored by the Office of Engaged Learning, Center for Global Engagement and Office of the Provost. Baylor Fulbright Day will feature information about the Fulbright program for both students and faculty, including how to apply for a Fulbright award. Baylor recently launched its application process for the upcoming Fulbright cycle and will hold sessions and workshops throughout February to help students decide if they want to apply.

In addition, Engaged Learning has collaborated with Global Engagement to launch a dedicated Baylor Fulbright website for students and faculty considering Fulbright opportunities. In March 2023, Kwang Lee, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science, received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to South Korea, where he spent the Fall 2023 semester with Yonsei University entrepreneurship faculty on a project focusing on intelligent system techniques for power and energy systems. Also in Fall 2023, Baylor received its first-ever Fulbright-Hays grant to assist the University in strengthening its East Asian language programs and Asian Studies program.

“Since Fulbright is one word that means many things, we decided to work together on a one-stop shop that can help anyone—faculty, student or international scholar—navigate the process,” Hogue said.

Baylor looks to continue its Fulbright Top Producing Institution recognition as a University-record 34 Baylor students have been named finalists for the Fulbright Award for the 2024-25 award cycle. Fulbright recipients will be selected in March and April by Fulbright commissions around the world.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. 

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors and the world and have included 41 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.