For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has named Texas State University a Fulbright HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Leader.
Each year, the ECA recognizes select HSIs for their strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. The 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders were recognized for their noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and promotion of Fulbright program opportunities on campus during the 2023-24 academic year.
During the 2023-24 cycle, 17 Texas State students and recent graduates applied to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, said Brian Smith, DMA, Fulbright Program adviser for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program at TXST. Fourteen of the applicants were selected as semi-finalists, and five were chosen as Fulbright grant recipients, with two more selected as alternate grantees.
“Texas State’s engagement with the Fulbright Program has significantly increased in recent years as the university has expanded its outreach efforts and advising support for prospective applicants,” Smith said. “These expanded services have resulted in clear success, and I am proud to note that Texas State has now produced more Fulbright U.S. Student Program awardees over the past three years than in the prior three decades.”
Fulbright HSI Leaders encourage administrators, faculty and students at HSIs to engage with Fulbright on campus. The Fulbright HSI Leaders Initiative also highlights the strength of HSIs as destinations for international students and scholars.
The 51 recognized colleges and universities include seven associates colleges, five baccalaureate colleges and special focus institutions, 10 master’s colleges and universities and 29 doctoral universities.
The Fulbright HSI Leaders were announced during the International Plenary Session of the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
"Texas State has a strong record of Fulbright support and production, of which it can be proud,” said Eric Leake, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of English and TXST Fulbright Scholar liaison. “Recognition as a Fulbright HSI leader further enhances Texas State’s reputation as a global institution.
“My time as a Fulbright Scholar in Slovenia has been one of the highlights of my career, deepening my international connections and informing my research,” he said. “We all benefit from the cross-cultural understanding and exchange Fulbright makes possible. I have been happy to assist faculty with Fulbright applications as the university's Fulbright Scholar liaison, and I look forward to hearing about the experiences of Texas State’s newest Fulbrighters.”
Scott Weinhold, senior bureau official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, commended the 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders for their support of the Fulbright Program.
“Fulbrighters from HSIs contribute to the program’s goal of reflecting the full diversity, perspectives, and talents of the American people,” Weinhold said.
Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and in all fields 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.
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.
Learn more about Fulbright at https://fulbrightprogram.org including information about Fulbright’s efforts to further DEIA within the program and about the Fulbright HSI Leaders initiative.
Follow the Fulbright Program’s social media accounts and websites for highlights on HSIs and Fulbright: