UNM named Fulbright HSI leader for third year straight
October 31, 2023
The University of New Mexico is once again proud to be named as a Fulbright HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Leader for 2023. Each year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) recognizes the strong engagement of select HSIs with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program.
“The University of New Mexico takes immense pride in receiving the Fulbright Hispanic Serving Institution Leader designation, a testament to our strong commitment to fostering a supportive environment for Fulbright exchange participants and promoting the opportunities the Fulbright program offers on our campus,” Fulbright U.S. Students Program Advisor Kiyoko Simmons said.
UNM joins just 45 other colleges and universities in this honor. It’s UNM’s third straight year accepting this honor, for its noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and Fulbright program opportunities on campus, as well as its strength as a destination for international students and scholars.
“Our robust support system for student Fulbright applicants is exemplified by the active involvement of our faculty Fulbright recipients, who generously volunteer their time to serve on the committee and guide applicants throughout the intricate application process,” Simmons said.
It’s evident by the fact that in the last decade, 29 UNM students received Fulbright awards in 21 countries, and 43 UNM faculty members received Fulbright awards in 32 countries. UNM has also hosted 22 Visiting Scholars from 13 different countries.
“We also ensure application support during the summer break, bolstered by the assistance of the UNM Graduate Resource Center. This holistic approach underscores our dedication to nurturing a vibrant Fulbright community and empowering our students to pursue international opportunities,” Simmons said.
The most recent, 2023-2024 Fulbright UNM Student Recipients include Laura-Martin Alasandagutti, Charlotte Gates and Miguel Sabol. Mark Stone and Dominika Laster were chosen for the highly competitive faculty U.S. Scholar program.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards have a lasting impact on faculty and their work. UNM’s Faculty Fulbright alumni return with new insights into other cultures and ways of life, as well as new or strengthened connections to scholars abroad,” Associate Provost for Faculty Success Bill Stanley said. “They share these insights and connections with students and faculty colleagues alike. Winning and undertaking a Faculty Fulbright award requires thoughtful prior planning, but it’s very doable and incredibly rewarding for the individual as well as the institution.”
The purpose of the initiative is to commend the strong partnership between the Fulbright Program and selected HSIs to inspire all HSIs to increase their Fulbright engagement. This initiative is part of the U.S. State Department’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Fulbright Program and within the Bureau’s international exchange programs overall. Fulbright seeks to represent the full diversity of the U.S. scholarly community by highlighting the contributions of HSIs.
“Representation matters and pairing the world-class educational opportunities that Hispanic-Serving Institutions provide with the power of Fulbright further enriches the experience and educational opportunities for students and scholars both at home and abroad,” Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield said.
On November 9, the U.S. Department of State will host a Fulbright HSI Virtual Workshop featuring representatives from Fulbright HSI Leaders to share best practices to engage and support students and faculty, increase the global footprint on campus through the Fulbright Program, host international Fulbright students and scholars, and build international networks. This event is open to the public.
About The Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government’s flagship international academic exchange program with a longstanding commitment to diversity, working to ensure that participants reflect the United States and societies abroad. The Fulbright Program works closely with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to promote international exchange opportunities to staff, students, and faculty at HSIs. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, artists, and teachers from all types of institutions the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters build connections, gain experience, exchange ideas, and address global challenges.
