International Affairs receives recognition for the second time in the last three years.
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has named Texas Tech University as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Texas Tech's selection as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution continues to emphasize the value the university places on global connection and the support it receives from the various campus communities to seek international endeavors.
“Being a top producer of Fulbright Scholars is indicative of the dedication of our faculty and staff to pursuing international scholarship and experiences,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Ron Hendrick. “Their efforts and work, through their Fulbright experiences, enhance our campus community.”
Texas Tech was last named to the Fulbright Top Producing list for the 2021-2022 academic year. Six Texas Tech scholars were selected for Fulbright awards for the academic year 2023-24.
“Fulbright's Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America's higher education community,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield. “Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow's global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over.”
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges.
“For Texas Tech to be named a top producer is a tremendous privilege,” said Vice Provost for International Affairs Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo. “It is a testament of the work our faculty are doing. It speaks very clearly about the commitment the university continues to make on internationalization efforts.”
Applicants to Fulbright at Texas Tech are supported by the International Affairs Office (IA) under the Office of the Provost. Trejos-Castillo serves as the Fulbright Scholar Liaison.
“Fulbright is all about international, global and knowledge exchange,” said Trejos-Castillo. “And it aligns perfectly with the Texas Tech mission and work we do in terms of expanding our international collaborations and partnerships, but also in terms of the education opportunities we provide for diverse populations.”
Texas Tech continues to grow its rich heritage and connection to the Fulbright Programs, which dates to 1957.
This latest recognition is the third in the last calendar year associated with the Fulbright Program as it was named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader during the fall semester of 2023.
The university hosted a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence awardee for the first time during the 2023-2024 academic year in Costa Rica native Mario Solís.
About Fulbright
Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.
Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors and the world and have included 41 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.