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More than half of the 15 ABET-accredited historically Black colleges and universities have been named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program managed by the state department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“Congratulations to this year’s 20 Fulbright Historically Black College and University Institutional Leaders,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Matthew Lussenhop in a statement. “HBCU participation is critical to fully representing the diversity of the United States through the Fulbright Program. Fulbrighters from HBCUs carry their identities and school pride with them abroad, allowing people from other countries to learn about these accomplished individuals and about this dynamic group of American institutions and their distinguished legacy. Foreign Fulbrighters hosted by an HBCU return home with new knowledge, an appreciation of the United States, and a broadened perspective on America.”

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs established the HBCU Institutional Leader designation in 2019 to recognize the partnerships between the Fulbright Program and HBCUs, and to encourage the entire network of HBCUs to increase its engagement with Fulbright.

Dr. Michale Harris, the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee State University (TSU0, said they were honored to be recognized as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader. “Our exceptional students, staff, and faculty are key contributors to the program,” he said in a statement.

Howard University was also named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader. Since 1950, Howard has had more than 200 Fulbright awardees, including 100 faculty scholars, 70 student awardees, and 40 visiting scholars.

“Howard University is delighted to be recognized as an HBCU Institutional Leader by the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright experience has made a significant positive impact on our Howard scholars, helping them to become better global leaders who are prepared to be servant leaders with an international perspective,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick in a statement.

In 2019-2020, Jackson State University (JSU) hosted two Fulbright foreign language teaching assistants and several visiting lecturers.

“The Fulbright Program affords our students, faculty, and staff the opportunity for cultural and scholarly exchange in a way that allows for significant contributions to the global workplace and community,” said Thomas K. Hudson, president of JSU. “Fulbright also helps to create relationships and connections abroad through life-changing experiences.”

In recognition of the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders Initiative, and in celebration of the Fulbright Program’s 75th anniversary in 2021, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education, one of the cooperative partners for Fulbright programs, announced the “Fulbright HBCU Symposium” workshop.

The event will spotlight the unique role HBCU students, faculty, and administrators play in representing American higher education and the American experience around the world. Speakers will include Matthew Lussenhop,  Dr. Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University and Fulbright alumna, Dr. Dafina Blacksher Diabate, director of International Programs,  Fulbright Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison at Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Leah Creque, professor of English, director of Honors Program, and Fulbright Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison at Morehouse College. Click here for more information.

“We hold the Fulbright Program and all it represents with the highest regard and to have that level of reverence reciprocated by way of Morgan being distinguished as a Fulbright Institutional Leader truly reaffirms our commitment to the Fulbright mission,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, in a statement. “I applaud the efforts of our Division of International Affairs team and the many other faculty, staff, and student-Fulbrighters who have made exemplary contributions to the success of Morgan’s Fulbright program.” (Photo courtesy of Morgan State University).

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