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App State one of 17 US schools named a top producer of Fulbright scholars and students for 2020–21

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This badge signifies Appalachian State University is a top producer of Fulbright scholars and students for the 2020–21 academic year. App State is one of 17 schools nationwide to receive this honor. Image courtesy of Fulbright Program

“Given the caliber of our faculty and their dedication to scholarship, I am not surprised our candidates are so often awarded Fulbrights. These opportunities for them to collaborate internationally while furthering their research infuse our academic and local communities with valuable global literacy and provide opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

App State Fulbright support

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program at App State is supported by the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research, and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is facilitated through the university’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit within University College.

According to OIED, the Fulbright Program’s benefits include:

  • Academic exchange with colleagues and students in other countries.
  • Exchange of knowledge with the Appalachian Community upon return.
  • Development of stronger intercultural communication skills.
  • Broader understanding of and empathy for other cultures.
By Jessica Stump
Posted June 9, 2021 at 4:54 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been recognized as a top producing institution for Fulbright scholars and students for the 2020–21 academic year, according to the U.S. Department of State and Institute of International Education (IIE). The university is among 17 schools nationwide to receive this honor.

“Given the caliber of our faculty and their dedication to scholarship, I am not surprised our candidates are so often awarded Fulbrights. These opportunities for them to collaborate internationally while furthering their research infuse our academic and local communities with valuable global literacy and provide opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

Three App State faculty and a record-setting five alumnae were awarded 2020–21 Fulbrights to study, teach and/or research abroad through the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

“Given the caliber of our faculty and their dedication to scholarship, I am not surprised our candidates are so often awarded Fulbrights,” said App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris. “These opportunities for them to collaborate internationally while furthering their research infuse our academic and local communities with valuable global literacy and provide opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange.”

This is the fifth time App State has placed in the top 10 list for Fulbright U.S. Scholars among master’s institutions, and the second time the university has made the list for the number of students and/or alumni selected for the Fulbright Program.

See the list of 2020–21 top producers for Fulbright scholars and students.

Faculty Fulbright recipients

App State’s three faculty Fulbright recipients for the 2020–21 award cycle:

  • The College of Arts and Sciences’ Dr. Suzanna Bräuer in the Department of Biology, who is teaching graduate courses at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and engaging in research with UEF colleagues on how methane-producing microbes impact climate change.
  • The College of Arts and Sciences’ Dr. Eric Karchmer in the Department of Anthropology, who has traveled to Taiwan to study how traditional Chinese medicine is being adapted to treat emerging diseases and illnesses, primarily in children.
  • The College of Fine and Applied Arts’ Dr. Gregory Perreault in the Department of Communication, who is co-teaching a graduate-level research methods seminar at Austria’s University of Vienna and studying differences in journalistic values and practices between Austrian digital journalists and their American counterparts.

Alumnae Fulbright recipients

Of the 10,300-plus applicants nationally for the 2020–21 Fulbright award cycle, less than a quarter were awarded Fulbrights.

Ten App State student and alumni semifinalists were chosen from 15 applicants, with five ultimately offered the award — a record for the university.

App State’s awardees:

  • Alexandra “Lexie” All ’20, of Clayton, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Spain. All earned her Bachelor of Science in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in Spanish, education (K–12) and minors in teaching English as a second language (TESL)/applied linguistics and mathematics.
  • Caroline Sager ’18, of Raleigh, received a Fulbright ETA to Cyprus. Sager earned a Bachelor of Arts in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in Spanish and Hispanic studies and a B.S. in political science with a concentration in international and comparative politics.
  • Nancy Patterson ’16, of Auburn, Alabama, received a Fulbright ETA to Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Spanish.
  • Hayley Rose ’19 ’20, of Waxhaw, received a Fulbright ETA to the European country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is a two-time graduate of App State, holding a Master of Arts in special education, a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders and dual B.S. degrees in middle grades education with concentrations in science and social studies.
  • Katelyn Wilder ’20, of Mebane, received the Fulbright/Global Wales Postgraduate Award. She earned dual B.A. degrees in English-creative writing and English-literary studies.

Applicants are vetted by their institutions before moving to review at the National Screening Committee level, where applications are reviewed by experts in the field/geographic region from institutions across the U.S. Being named a semifinalist means that this committee found a candidate strong enough to be moved on to the in-country commission for final review.

Last year, App State was named the nation’s top producer of Fulbright scholars among master’s institutions, with six faculty and one administrator receiving the prestigious award during the 2019–20 award cycle.

About the Fulbright Program

Now in its 75th year, the Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Over 900 U.S. college and university faculty and administrators and over 2,200 U.S. students are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, some 4,000 Fulbright Foreign Students and Visiting Scholars come to the U.S. annually to study, lecture, conduct research or teach their native language.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems. The global network of Fulbrighters fosters mutual understanding between the U.S. and partner nations, advances knowledge across communities and improves lives around the globe.

What do you think?

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App State Fulbright support

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program at App State is supported by the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research, and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is facilitated through the university’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit within University College.

According to OIED, the Fulbright Program’s benefits include:

  • Academic exchange with colleagues and students in other countries.
  • Exchange of knowledge with the Appalachian Community upon return.
  • Development of stronger intercultural communication skills.
  • Broader understanding of and empathy for other cultures.
App State Fulbright Scholar Program
App State Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

At App State, the program is administered through the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research.

Learn more
The U.S. Student Fulbright Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers recent graduates and graduate students research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries around the globe. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and operating as the largest U.S. exchange program, the Fulbright program awards approximately 2,000 grants in all fields of study.

Learn more
App State Fulbright awardee Dr. Eric Karchmer researches adapting traditional Chinese medicine to treat emerging illnesses
App State Fulbright awardee Dr. Eric Karchmer researches adapting traditional Chinese medicine to treat emerging illnesses
March 26, 2021

App State’s Dr. Eric Karchmer — a 2020–21 Fulbright awardee — has embarked on a Fulbright expedition to Taiwan, where, for the next 10 months, he will research how Taiwanese families are using traditional Chinese healing practices to manage the health of their children. He is joined by his wife, App State’s Dr. Dana Powell, and their children.

Read the story
App State Fulbrighter Dr. Suzanna Bräuer explores microbes’ impact on climate change
App State Fulbrighter Dr. Suzanna Bräuer explores microbes’ impact on climate change
March 26, 2021

App State’s Dr. Suzanna Bräuer, professor of biology, has been awarded a 2020–21 Fulbright to research how methane-producing microorganisms known as archaea impact global climate change. Her Fulbright assignment takes her to Finland, where she is also teaching graduate courses at the University of Eastern Finland.

Read the story
App State Fulbright awardee Dr. Gregory Perreault engages in cross-national study on digital journalism
App State Fulbright awardee Dr. Gregory Perreault engages in cross-national study on digital journalism
April 12, 2021

App State’s Dr. Gregory Perreault, assistant professor of multimedia journalism, has been awarded a 2020–21 Fulbright to teach and perform research at Austria’s University of Vienna this spring and summer. Through his research project, he is comparing the differences in journalistic values and practices between Austrian digital journalists and their American counterparts.

Read the story
App State sets new record for Fulbright U.S. Student grant awardees in 2020–21
App State sets new record for Fulbright U.S. Student grant awardees in 2020–21
June 5, 2020

Five Appalachian alumnae have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2020–21 academic year — a new record for the university. Appalachian was named a top producing institution for Fulbright students among master’s institutions for the 2019–20 grant year.

Read the story
App State ranked the nation’s top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2019–20
App State ranked the nation’s top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2019–20
Feb. 13, 2020

Appalachian is the nation’s top producer of Fulbright scholars among master’s institutions in 2019–20, according to the U.S. Department of State and Institute of International Education (IIE).

Read the story
App State named a top producer of Fulbright students in 2019–20
App State named a top producer of Fulbright students in 2019–20
Feb. 13, 2020

In addition to being a top producer of Fulbright scholars, Appalachian is among top producers of Fulbright students for 2019–20.

Read the story

About the Office of International Programs

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.

About the Office of Research and Innovation

Appalachian State University’s Office of Research and Innovation supports the scholarly and creative activities of App State faculty, staff and students by expanding access to and facilitating the management of research opportunities. The office consists of four units: Grants Resources and Services, Sponsored Programs, Research Design and Analysis, and Research Protections. The office also collaborates with the university’s Special Funds Accounting on the fiscal management of awarded projects. Learn more at https://research.appstate.edu.

About Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) works with the Appalachian community to recruit and support students for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, including those that support research, teaching and critical language learning. This is achieved with outreach, mentorship and advising throughout the entire application and selection process. NCS is committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students find ways to connect their Appalachian education to their future endeavors through scholarship opportunities. Learn more at https://ncs.appstate.edu.

About University College

Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Given the caliber of our faculty and their dedication to scholarship, I am not surprised our candidates are so often awarded Fulbrights. These opportunities for them to collaborate internationally while furthering their research infuse our academic and local communities with valuable global literacy and provide opportunities for ongoing cultural exchange.”

App State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris

App State Fulbright support

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program at App State is supported by the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research, and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is facilitated through the university’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit within University College.

According to OIED, the Fulbright Program’s benefits include:

  • Academic exchange with colleagues and students in other countries.
  • Exchange of knowledge with the Appalachian Community upon return.
  • Development of stronger intercultural communication skills.
  • Broader understanding of and empathy for other cultures.
App State Fulbright Scholar Program
App State Fulbright Scholar Program

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

At App State, the program is administered through the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) and Office of Research.

Learn more
The U.S. Student Fulbright Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers recent graduates and graduate students research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries around the globe. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and operating as the largest U.S. exchange program, the Fulbright program awards approximately 2,000 grants in all fields of study.

Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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