Nature Coast Times

University of Florida issued the following announcement on March 3.

The University of Florida is proud to be included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the largest number of 2021-2022 Fulbright U.S. Scholars. Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the lists in its online and print editions.

Seven UF scholars were awarded Fulbright awards for 2021-2022, ranking the University of Florida in a tie for 4th place, more than any other university of its type in the nation. UF climbed up from 7th place (tied) received last year. The principal purpose of the Fulbright program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the peoples of more than 150 countries that participate in the program. It aims to establish open communication and cooperative relationships by enriching Americans’ understanding of the educational, political, economic, social and cultural realities of countries around the world.

UF’s 2021-2022 U.S. Fulbright Scholar awardees, their respective fields and the country in which they will carry out their Fulbright duties are:

• Maria Coady Bedard (UF School of Teaching and Learning, UF College of Education), Poland
• Kathleen Colverson (UF Food Systems Institute, IFAS), Ecuador
• Joel Correia (UF Center for Latin American Studies), Paraguay
• Gregory MacDonald (Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Archive), Guyana
• Fiona McLaughlin (UF Department of Linguistics), Algeria
• Heidi Powell (Art Education Program and Center for Latin American Studies), Dominican Republic

As every year, the International Center is pleased to host Fulbright Awareness Week (FAW) from March 23-30, 2022. In collaboration with the UF Fulbright Lectures Committee, multiple information sessions for scholars, faculty and staff will provide opportunities to learn about Fulbright, the application process, and to hear about the experiences of past Fulbright scholars and students. For information on FAW and to register for events, please visit https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/2022-fulbright-awareness-week.

“Given the challenges the whole world has faced in the pandemic, the Fulbright mission of promoting international cooperation and exchange is more relevant than ever, and the UF International Center and the Office of the Provost are happy to support faculty interested in exploring international possibilities through the Fulbright program,” said Dr. Leonardo Villalón, Dean of the International Center and Associate Provost.

“UF’s new Faculty Fulbright Support Program from the Provost’s Office, makes these opportunities more accessible to faculty by allowing them to receive full UF benefits and salary in addition to Fulbright funding during their grant,” noted Dr. David L. Reed, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Florida. For details of the Faculty Fulbright Support Program visit http://aa.ufl.edu/awards/faculty-fulbright-support/.

"We congratulate the colleges and universities we are honoring as 2021-2022 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions and are especially delighted to celebrate the institutions that are being recognized as Fulbright Top Producers for the first time. These institutions reflect the geographic and institutional diversity of higher education in the United States, and include Minority-Serving Institutions," said Ethan Rosenzweig, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

"We thank the leadership of these institutions for supporting their faculty and administrators who pursue Fulbright awards," Rosenzweig added. "In return, these institutions benefit from new, global perspectives and new international collaborations, which can positively impact local and global communities. Fulbright U.S. Scholars expand the scope and reach of their research, expand networks, and further development of sectors which work to address local and global challenges."

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact in their communities, regions, and the world more broadly, and have included 40 heads of state or government, 61 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 76 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who carry forward the Fulbright mission of enhancing mutual understanding.

Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries worldwide, and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States. Many of these organizations also provide direct and indirect support. ECA sponsors the Fulbright program, and several non-profit, cooperative partners implement and support the program on the Bureau’s behalf. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.

For more information about Fulbright Program Top Producers, visit https://topproducing.fulbrightonline.org/. 

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is supported at the University of Florida through UFIC ‘s Office for Global Research and Engagement and Dr. Claire Anumba. For more information visit https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/faculty-engagement/fulbright-scholar-program.

Original source can be found here.