State Department names UTSA a Fulbright HSI Leader for commitment to diversity

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 — UTSA has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The university joins 46 institutions nationwide to be recognized for noteworthy engagement with the Fulbright Program during the 2022-2023 academic year.

UTSA was first recognized as a Fulbright HSI Leader in 2022. ECA established the designation in 2021 to acknowledge the strong partnerships between the Fulbright Program and Hispanic Serving Institutions and to promote participation among HSIs to fully represent the diversity of the U.S. through the program.

“As a leading HSI, UTSA is deeply committed to fostering global exchange and to providing opportunities for international experiences to our students and faculty,” said Lisa Montoya, UTSA vice provost for global initiatives and senior international officer. “For students in particular, traveling abroad is one of the experiential learning opportunities that advance the university’s Classroom to Career Initiative. Travel abroad allows students to gain exposure to diverse cultures and build intercultural competencies around communication, adaptability and problem-solving—all of which directly support career-engaged learning.”

“As a leading HSI, UTSA is deeply committed to fostering global exchange and to providing opportunities for international experiences to our students and faculty.”

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Fulbright was founded in 1946 to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and other countries.

UTSA student Forough Askarirad traveled to Bulgaria in 2022 through Fulbright’s English Teaching Assistant Program.

The program awards approximately 9,000 merit-based scholarships in the U.S. and more than 160 countries every year to accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields. Fulbrighters study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.

“Fulbrighters make the world a better place in classrooms and countries worldwide,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated in a congratulatory letter to UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “The University of Texas at San Antonio’s designation as a 2023 Fulbright HSI Leader is a testament to your institution’s dedication to promoting global engagement and mutual understanding among peoples and nations.”

Andrew Chapman, assistant dean of the Honors College and director of UTSA’s UTSA Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, said participation across Fulbright programs has grown steadily at UTSA since 2019 when the office was established in the Honors College. As example, this year, five UTSA students were named finalists by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the largest number of UTSA students selected to participate in the program. In 2022, four UTSA faculty were selected as Fulbright Scholars.

“Supporting UTSA students and scholars in pursuing highly competitive, merit-based programs such as Fulbright not only enhances individual knowledge but also promotes the university’s vision as a premier public research university that attracts top-tier talent and fosters a culture of academic excellence,” said Chapman. “We hope to continue to encourage more Roadrunners to apply for Fulbright programs, both to recognize their personal and academic achievements and because these experiences open doors to new opportunities.”

On November 9, the U.S. Department of State will host a 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 and is specifically designed for faculty, staff and stakeholders at HSIs.

— Rebecca Luther