Fulbright names university top-producing institution for fourth time

The University of North Georgia (UNG) received another feather in its cap from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program this week when it was designated as a top producer of Fulbright students for the fourth consecutive year. UNG was one of only two public universities in Georgia included on the 2020-21 top-producers list for the Fulbright Student Program and the only school in Georgia listed in the master's institutions category.

UNG secured the distinction based on five alumni being selected as Fulbright finalists for the 2020-21 academic year. This latest accomplishment shows the consistency of UNG securing Fulbright finalists, with 15 students having been selected in the previous three years – four in 2019-20, three in 2018-19, and a record eight in 2017-18.

"UNG's consistent recognition by this esteemed program is a testament to our students' abilities to earn placement into these transformational overseas experiences, the outstanding mentoring provided by our faculty, and the dedication of our Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office to prepare students for these opportunities," UNG President Bonita Jacobs said.

The Fulbright is a prestigious, highly competitive fellowship that enables recent graduates and graduate students to pursue research, earn a graduate degree or teach English overseas. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and residents of more than 160 foreign countries, according to the Fulbright website.

Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of research and engagement and head of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office, said one of her goals is to keep UNG as a top producer of Fulbright students. UNG is on task to maintain that goal since a record 18 UNG alumni and students were named Fulbright semifinalists for the 2021-22 cycle.

"UNG students are well-positioned to fulfill the Fulbright mission of enhancing mutual understanding between nations," Lin said. "UNG's focus on creating global leaders through academic and co-curricular programs prepares students to engage in their local communities while abroad, as they learn about their host culture and share American culture."

Among UNG's 18 Fulbright semifinalists announced in January, 14 applied as English Teaching Assistants while four others seek advanced degrees from universities overseas. Three plan to pursue master's degrees while Jonathan "J.J." Gilleland is the first UNG alumnus to apply for a doctoral program through Fulbright.

The top-producing list is published annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs compiles the list.

Students interested in learning more about Fulbright program should contact the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office at ncs@ung.edu for more information.