Houston Daily

The University of Houston has been recognized as a Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic year, with 14 students receiving the prestigious awards last year. This recognition highlights the university's commitment to global engagement and academic excellence.

Ben Rayder, executive director of UH’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards (OURMA), commented on the achievement: “These results are particularly impressive considering what many of the recipients had to go through in their college careers. Many of them started their education during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. They made the most of their time at UH and now they are having incredible adventures abroad. Their stories of resilience are inspiring and something that the entire UH community can be proud of.”

Among those benefiting from Fulbright support is Kayla Alexander, a recent graduate who is currently in Vilagarcía de Arousa, Spain, serving as an English teaching assistant at a secondary school. She shared her experience: “My year abroad with Fulbright has given me some incredible opportunities to further explore my academic interests... Overall, I truly believe that the Fulbright experience enhanced everything I learned at the University of Houston and made me a better student and educator.”

Leonard Wang, another recipient, is pursuing a Master’s degree in health and Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. He remarked on his international experience: “Fulbright has offered an incredible opportunity to engage with health and social care systems in an international context... My time abroad through the Fulbright Program has offered valuable professional and personal experiences to support my future career as a physician working at the intersection of clinical practice, policy, and healthcare leadership.”

Both Alexander and Wang received guidance from OURMA while preparing their applications. The university’s Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) also plays a role in supporting students and faculty who pursue international academic opportunities.

The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 as an international educational exchange initiative aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between nations. It continues to provide significant benefits for participants worldwide.

Ambassador Michael Pelletier (Retd.), executive director of IGE, expressed pride in UH's accomplishments: “UH is so honored once again to see our university wide Fulbright culture recognized in this way... The Fulbright has for decades been the flagship program supporting academic engagement across the world.”