Earlier this month, the Fulbright Program named 20 HBCUs as “Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders” for their noteworthy engagement during the 2024-25 academic year. Among the esteemed institutions from around the country were AUCC undergraduate institutions, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and encourage administrators, faculty and students at HBCUs to engage with Fulbright on campus. The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative highlights HBCU alumni and faculty excellence, as well as HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars.
“At Clark Atlanta University, our engagement with the Fulbright Program underscores our commitment to preparing scholars for a globalized world,” said President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. “This partnership enriches our academic community by providing invaluable opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in transformative educational experiences abroad. With the support of our dedicated Fulbright Program Adviser and Scholar Liaison, we have witnessed firsthand the profound impact these experiences have on our scholars, enabling them to broaden their horizons, foster international collaboration, and contribute meaningfully to the global discourse.”
“This year, Clark Atlanta University proudly receives recognition as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for the first time,” Dr. Charlene D. Gilbert, Provost and SVP for Academic Affairs at Clark Atlanta University. “The achievements of our faculty members and students who participated as Fulbright U.S. Scholars in France, Senegal, and South Africa, underscore our commitment to global engagement.”
Morehouse College students and faculty have long benefited from Fulbright opportunities, from conducting groundbreaking research abroad to welcoming international scholars who enrich the academic and cultural life of the College. These exchanges deepen the institution’s global partnerships while preparing students to navigate and address today’s complex international challenges.
Morehouse College is hosting João Pedro Macedo, a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA). Born and raised in the Sertão of Bahia, Brazil, Macedo holds a degree in Languages and Literature from the State University of Feira de Santana. He has taught Portuguese as a Foreign Language at the university level and worked as an English instructor for students and professionals in Brazil. At Morehouse, he is supporting Portuguese language instruction and expanding opportunities for cross-cultural engagement.
Spelman College was selected for its strong and active involvement in Fulbright programs and initiatives. Central to this recognition is the Department of World Languages and Cultures, which hosted four Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FTLAs) on campus as part of the Fulbright FTLA Program last year. Through this program, the FTLAs fully immersed themselves in the Spelman community, living, studying and teaching on campus. They engaged directly with students learning French, Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese, enriching the College’s global and intercultural learning environment.
To date, over 50 Spelman students have participated in the Fulbright Fellows Program. The program is led by professors Dr. Michelle S. Hite, associate professor of literature, media and writing, program director of Spelman’s Honors Program and co-director of the International Fellowships and Scholarships program; and Dr. Andrea Lewis, director of the Student Success Program, associate professor of education and co-director of the International Fellowships and Scholarships program.
“Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said Spelman Interim President Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer, C’84. “This recognition reflects our dedication to preparing students and faculty to lead, serve and engage across borders, and we are proud to be part of a program that transforms lives through international education.”
The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative seeks to commend the strong partnerships between the Fulbright Program and selected HBCUs and to inspire all HBCUs to increase their Fulbright engagement. Institutional Leaders not only support Fulbright participants on campus but also encourage their broader academic communities to pursue global opportunities.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided nearly 450,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and disciplines the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work together to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
For more information visit, https://fulbrightprogram.org.
