FIU named 2022 HSI leader by Fulbright Program

FIU has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader for the second year in a row by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This designation recognizes the noteworthy engagement that selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have achieved with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program.

Fulbright HSI Leader status has been conferred on 43 HSIs, including FIU, because they have demonstrated noteworthy engagement with Fulbright exchange participants during the 2021-2022 academic year and have promoted Fulbright Program opportunities on campus.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs Ethan Rosenzweig, speaking on behalf of ECA, which sponsors the Fulbright Program, announced the Fulbright HSI Leaders on October 10 during an international plenary session at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) annual conference in San Diego.

In his remarks, DAS Rosenzweig noted the strong relationship between HSIs and the Fulbright Program stating, “The Fulbright Program’s success with HSIs is built on real collaboration with you and your institutions.” He thanked HSI leaders for their collaboration and for recognizing the value of the Fulbright Program in deepening campus internationalization efforts; and he recognized Fulbright campus liaisons and advisors for recruiting and advising applicants.  He also commended current Fulbright participants and alumni from and hosted by HSIs for sharing “their expertise, experience, perspective, and enthusiasm with their institutions, their communities, and their societies.” 

As per the grant listings of the Fulbright program administering organizations, the Institute of International Education (IIE) and World Learning (WL), FIU’s historic record of sending and receiving Fulbright faculty and students is impressive:

“Our students and faculty who study, teach and research at host institutions across the globe are transformed by the experience and return as global champions” said Pablo Ortiz, Vice President and Vice Provost for Regional and World Locations. “Similarly, Fulbright visitors enrich our campus community with unique insights into their respective culture and current affairs in their home countries.”

FIU’s second Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR), B.A. Hussainmiya, is a senior scholar from Sri Lanka. At the culmination of his visiting appointment at FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, Hussainmiya offered a lecture on the current social and political turmoil in his native Sri Lanka, titled, "Practicing Islam: Challenges and Prospects for Muslims Living in Turbulent Sri Lanka."

While the Fulbright HSI Leader designation celebrates the academic contributions of Fulbright scholar and student grantees, it also recognizes the work of Fulbright Program Campus Liaisons who promote it and support the fellowship and scholarship recipients. At FIU, these individuals are Ashley Kuntz, Director, Prestigious Scholar Development, who serves as Fulbright Program Advisory to students, and Assefa Melesse, Professor, Department of Earth & Environment, a Fulbright Scholar to Ethiopia 2012, and Ms. Gitta Montoto, Director, FIU Global, who are Fulbright Program Campus Liaisons to faculty.

On November 7, a Fulbright HSI Virtual Workshop will feature representatives of Fulbright HSI Leaders sharing best practices for HSIs to leverage Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, and build global networks. This virtual event is open to the public and while all are welcome, the session is specifically designed for HSI faculty, staff, and stakeholders. Institutions can sign up here. 

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 complex international challenges.