JARVIS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY NAMED FULBRIGHT HBCU INSTITUTIONAL LEADER

Jarvis Christian University is proud to be named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2022. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has recognized selected HBCUs over the past three years for their strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program.

Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years and have promoted Fulbright program opportunities on campus. Jarvis Christian University is new to the list this year.

The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department as HBCU leaders prepare to gather in Washington, DC and virtually for the White House Initiative on HBCUs National HBCU Week Conference, and Fulbright opportunities will be highlighted in events such as the career and recruitment fair during this week.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield commended the HBCUs receiving the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader designation this year, noting that “HBCUs are an important part of the American and global higher education communities, providing life-changing exchange opportunities for American and international students, faculty, and administrators alike.” She shared her hope that these institutions’ success encourages all HBCUs to engage further with Fulbright and with the State Department.

The Fulbright Scholars Program enables us to give our students international exposure,” said JCU President Dr. Lester C. Newman. “Through this program, we are able to provide them with a cultural experience and academic enrichment from abroad. Last year, we welcomed Fulbright Scholars to Jarvis from Tanzania, Tunisia and Taiwan.

“Our Jarvis students benefited by taking introductory classes in Swahili, Arabic, and Mandarin Chinese,” Newman said. “This year, we have welcomed two more Fulbright Scholars from Morocco and Kenya. Our Jarvis students are able to think more globally having met these scholars and many have ideas of traveling someday after their interactions with these Fulbright scholars.”

On November 3, a Fulbright HBCU Virtual Workshop will feature representatives of Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders sharing best practices for HBCUs to leverage Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, and build global networks. This event is open to the public and is specifically designed for HBCU faculty, staff, and stakeholders.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception over 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has given over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas, and contributing to finding solutions to important international problems.

Each year, the U.S. Congress appropriates funds to the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the Fulbright Program. Many foreign governments contribute substantially as well. Additional funding and in-kind funding is provided by U.S. and foreign host institutions, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, corporate partnerships, and individual donors.

Over many years the Fulbright Program has designed and implemented a wide range of initiatives to increase participant diversity and inclusion. The program strives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. Fulbright Scholars come from all backgrounds and are selected through an open, merit-based competition, regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Information on the Fulbright Program’s diversity and inclusion initiatives is detailed on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.

For more information on the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov.

Stories about the positive impact of the Fulbright Program over its first 75 years can be found at: https://fulbright75.org

Follow the Fulbright Program’s social media accounts and websites for highlights on HBCUs and Fulbright:

https://www.facebook.com/fulbright