Today, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced it has designated 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as this year’s annual Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders, recognizing their noteworthy engagement with the Fulbright Program, which is currently celebrating its 75^th anniversary.

The Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research in the United States or in one of over 160 partner countries worldwide. Fulbright students and scholars are from or hosted by more than 800 colleges and universities across the United States, and thousands more campuses in over 160 countries.

This specific Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative was created by ECA in recognition of the special role the nation’s 105 HBCUs play in making sure students, faculty, and administrators from all backgrounds are able to participate in and benefit from the Fulbright Program. 

“Fulbrighters from HBCUs carry their identities and school pride with them abroad, allowing people from other countries to learn about these accomplished individuals and about this dynamic group of American institutions and their distinguished legacy,” Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Matthew Lussenhop stated.

According to ECA, the campuses highlighted this year demonstrated engagement with Fulbright exchange participants and promoted Fulbright Program opportunities on their campuses during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders include the following colleges and universities:

• Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL 
• Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV 
• Central State University, Wilberforce, OH 
• Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC 
• Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 
• Howard University, Washington, DC 
• Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 
• Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA 
• Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 
• Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA 
• Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 
• North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 
• Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 
• South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 
• Spelman College, Atlanta, GA 
• Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 
• Texas Southern University, Houston, TX 
• Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS 
• University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC 
• Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 

“Congratulations to this year’s 20 Fulbright Historically Black College and University Institutional Leaders,” Lussenhop stated. “We salute you and your institutions for your engagement with the Fulbright Program, and for your commitment to providing life-changing opportunities to students, faculty, and administrators. HBCU participation is critical to fully representing the diversity of the United States through the Fulbright Program. This initiative is part of the U.S. Department of State’s long-standing commitment to build diversity and inclusion within the Fulbright Program and within the Bureau’s international exchange programs overall.” 

On June 3, the Fulbright Program will host a Fulbright HBCU Symposium to discuss Fulbright opportunities and resources for HBCUs, the benefits of a Fulbright experience, and the role that the Fulbright Program plays in supporting HBCU campus internationalization, global awareness, and engagement. This public workshop will be open to all HBCU faculty, staff, and stakeholders, as well as individuals from other institutions who are interested in attending. 

This symposium will celebrate the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders by spotlighting the unique role HBCU students, faculty, and administrators play in representing American higher education and the American experience both in our country and around the world. Highlights will include remarks by the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Matthew Lussenhop; a keynote address by Fulbright alumna and President of Prairie View A&M University Dr. Ruth Simmons; and workshop sessions to assist HBCUs in strengthening their relationship with the Fulbright Program. 

The event will close with a panel of representatives of Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders, including Dr. Dafina Blacksher Diabate from Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Dr. Leah Creque from Morehouse College, who will share how their campuses use the array of Fulbright Program offerings to support campus internationalization goals and global engagement efforts, and to build worldwide networks, which are essential for success in our 21st-century world.

Registration is required, if you are interested click here. 

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