UNG a national top Fulbright producer for sixth time
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) made a national list of four-year institutions for sending the most students abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2022-23. The list, released by the U.S. Department of State on Feb. 10, showed that UNG tied for fifth among 16 master's institutions to make the list. UNG, the University of Georgia and Emory University are the only universities in Georgia on this year's list.
UNG has earned the designation as a national top producer of Fulbright students for six consecutive years. It received the distinction based on five alumni being selected as Fulbright finalists for the 2022-23 academic year. UNG has produced 27 Fulbright finalists in five years.
"This recognition is a testament to the quality of our students and their desire to seek out global experiences that will shape them into dynamic leaders in our diverse society," UNG President Bonita Jacobs said. "Our faculty and UNG's Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office continue to offer strong guidance that makes these opportunities possible."
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.
Our alumni return from Fulbright with a broader global vision they are eager to share with their local communities. They also return more sure of themselves, their place in the world and the opportunities they have to make a difference.
Dr. Anastasia Lin
Assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office
Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office, lauded the impact of Fulbright experiences for UNG alumni.
"Our alumni return from Fulbright with a broader global vision they are eager to share with their local communities," Lin said. "They also return more sure of themselves, their place in the world and the opportunities they have to make a difference."
Colin Tredway, a summer 2020 graduate with a degree in history, is a Fulbright English Teaching assistant in Germany for 2022-23.
"The most life-changing part is learning how to adapt to many challenges, both expected and unexpected. I've had a lot of bumps in the road, but this program taught me to be adaptable and to always be flexible," Tredway said. "I couldn't have made it to Germany without the help of UNG and the professors who assisted me, namely Dr. Anastasia Lin and Dr. Victoria Hightower. They provided valuable feedback on essays I wrote and supported me through the entire process."
UNG is also well-positioned for the year ahead with 13 Fulbright semifinalists for the 2023-24 cycle, as 12 applied to be English teaching assistants and one for a research award. They will learn by April whether they are selected for the Fulbright program.
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs compiles the list of top-producers, which is published annually in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Students interested in learning more about the Fulbright program should contact the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office at ncs@ung.edu for more information.
To support its mission of preparing students for leadership in a global society, UNG promotes numerous opportunities for students to study abroad or to pursue scholarships that provide international career-building experiences.
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