Seven University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have earned Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2022-23 academic year. Another student was named an alternate, and three were named semifinalists.
The Fulbright program offers participants the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research; exchange ideas; and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Recipients are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service.
Six Nebraska students were offered English Teaching Assistant placements to support English language classroom instruction and serve as cultural ambassadors for the United States. In addition, student Laura Jensen was offered a grant unique to Austria, the Community-Based Combined Award, which involves English teaching, university coursework and nonprofit volunteer work in the host community.
Recipients, their academic major(s), and country where they will teach and/or study:
- Sarah Brady, music and microbiology, Poland
- Leigh Jahnke, biological sciences and Spanish, Spain
- Laura Jensen, secondary English (7-12) and German, Austria
- Celie Knudsen, English (master’s program), Spain
- Adrian Pilkington, software engineering and French, France
- Spencer Tessman, German and Spanish, Germany
- Joanna Walton, German, Germany
Alumnus Gregory Tracey of Omaha, who studied global studies and economics, was named an alternate for an English Teaching Assistantship in Uzbekistan.
Additionally, these students and recent alumni were recommended to the host countries for funding consideration and recognized by the U.S. National Screening Committee as semifinalists:
- Luci Anderson, history, medieval and Renaissance studies, and classics and religious studies, Iceland, Study/Research
- Andrew Neill, geography and global studies, Azerbaijan, English Teaching Assistant
- Elizabeth (Ellie) Woody, Spanish and political science, Spain, English Teaching Assistant
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, is supported by an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as well as partner countries around the world. At Nebraska, the Office of National and International Fellowships advises and nominates undergraduate candidates for 30 supported scholarships and fellowships.
To learn more, students and campus community members may contact Courtney Santos, director of national and international fellowships, at courtney.santos@unl.edu.
