For the second year in a row, Fordham has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State as a top producer of Fulbright Students, with a record-breaking 15 students earning the prestigious fellowship for the 2024-25 academic year—the University’s highest one-year total ever.
This cohort of Fordham Fulbrighters is currently abroad in the midst of the 10-month program, studying, teaching, and conducting research in 12 countries on four continents. In addition to their studies, they’re immersing themselves in the cultures of their host countries, which range from Taiwan, to Ghana, to the Slovak Republic.
Of the 215 doctoral institutions on the top-producer list, Fordham made the top 30.
“This year’s record-breaking number of Fulbright awardees not only reflects the exceptional talent and dedication of Fordham’s students, but also underscores the University’s commitment to fostering global exchange and being ‘people for others,’” said Fordham President Tania Tetlow. “We are immensely proud of their achievement.”
Wrap-Around Support for Students Seeking Scholarships
Fordham has dedicated staff to support students interested in opportunities like the Fulbright program through every step of the application process.
According to Lorna Ronald, Ph.D., director of Fordham’s Office of Fellowship Advising, any U.S. citizen with an interest in cultural exchange can apply for a Fulbright—there is no GPA cutoff or “type” of student who is right for the program. She attributes the University’s high number of awardees to its Jesuit identity, which prioritizes a well-rounded curriculum and a global mentality.
“Our robust liberal arts curriculum prepares students to be strong thinkers and writers,” said Ronald. “Students get to know our incredible faculty, who help them dig deeply into their interests. And our mission prepares students to be ‘of the city, for the world.’”
Teaching English in Colombia
Caroline Albacete, FCRH ’21, is one of the 15 Fordham awardees currently on her Fulbright year. She’s living in Colombia, where she’s teaching English language at la Universidad de Ibagué. When she’s not working, Albacete spends her time volunteering with an educational non-profit, hiking in nature, and traveling to other cities with friends.
She has especially enjoyed getting to know the people in her host country.
“The Colombians I’ve met are so open to learning and curious about the world around them. It’s inspirational,” said Albacete. “They’ve been incredibly friendly and generous with their time, and I hope that’s an attitude I’ll take with me when I return stateside.”
Before applying for the program, Albacete worked closely with Brenna Moore, chair of Fordham’s Theology Department, whom she met in the fall of 2019 through her honors class, Religion in the Modern World. Moore says she was “blown away” by Albacete’s gifts in reading, discussing, and writing about questions of faith and justice.
“I think she is the only student I have ever had who is gifted in three languages and used them to expand the horizons of her scholarly research, and to work with real communities around the world,” Moore said of Albacete, who is fluent in Spanish and French.
Albacete helped Moore with a research project, doing Spanish to English translation for undocumented mothers from Mexico for a book Moore co-authored, Mutuality in El Barrio. Later, Moore served as one of Albacete’s recommenders for her Fulbright application.
Albacete says Moore’s mentorship has been pivotal in her intellectual development and in her success. “Speaking with her during office hours always helped me refine my ideas,” said Albacete. “She is such an encouraging soul.”
About the Fulbright Program
The Fulbright program was established in 1946 to give talented scholars of all backgrounds the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research internationally. Alumni of the Fulbright program include 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 82 MacArthur Fellows.
Since the program’s inception, Fordham has produced hundreds of Fulbright students. This is the seventh time the University has been recognized as a top Fulbright producer. Two of this year’s awardees, Connie Ticho and Nate Johnson, earned Fulbright-John Lewis Fellowships, an award named for the late Civil Rights leader that supports scholars studying nonviolent movements across the globe.
