WKU News

WKU will celebrate its third annual Fulbright Week April 2-6 with events for prospective students and faculty.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program seeking to increase mutual understanding between Americans and the people of other countries. Established in 1946 by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually in more than 160 countries.

Sponsored by the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the Office of Scholar Development (OSD), the purpose of Fulbright Week is to raise awareness of fully-funded opportunities through two programs falling under the umbrella of the Fulbright Program: the Fulbright Scholar Program and the  U.S. Student Program.

Throughout the week, Melinda Grimsley-Smith of the Office of Scholar Development will hold several information sessions and application essay workshops across campus for students interested in conducting research or creative projects, pursuing graduate study, or teaching English abroad. In addition, current WKU Fulbrighters and recent Fulbright alumni will be available for two Q&A sessions during “OSD Scholar Celebration Day” on April 6. For more details, visit www.wku.edu/oip/wkufulbright.  

In addition, OIP is hosting Fulbright Alumni Ambassador Dr. Amelia Phillips (April 4-5) to meet with prospective WKU faculty. Dr. Phillips, who completed a lecturing and research Fulbright to Namibia in 2006, is a Professor of Computer Information Systems/Computer Science at Highlight Community College in Des Moines, Washington. She will be available to meet with faculty new to Fulbright or looking to learn more about research and/or teaching abroad opportunities. Click here to register for a time by March 28.

Faculty are also able to attend the Fulbright Project Statement Workshop at noon April 6. The event is co-sponsored by OIP and the Office of Research & Creative Activity and will feature WKU Fulbright Alumni Dr. Kristin Wilson (Fulbright Research Scholar, South Africa, 2016) and Dr. Kay Gandy (Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program, South Africa 2006; Fulbright Hays Seminars Abroad Program, Senegal 2016). Topics covered will include researching awards, developing contacts, integrating Fulbright components, drafting a competitive application, revising and more. Click here to register for a time by March 30.

Visit www.wku.edu/oip/wkufulbright for a full calendar of events.

About the Office of International Programs: The Office of International Programs supports the internationalization agenda of the university by creating opportunities for faculty and staff development in a global context and supporting the development of meaningful co-curricular programming for student, campus and community audiences. Contact: Anna Yacovone, (270) 745-3975.

About the Office of Scholar Development: The Office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in national or international scholarships. Contact: Dr. Melinda Grimsley-Smith, (270) 745-5043

Contact: Anna Yacovone, (270) 745-3975