2024 Fulbright Scholars

Kaley Birchfield of Sammamish, Washington, will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Spanish and completed the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core program within the Honors College. At Baylor, Kaley has conducted research with the Language Impairment and Down Syndrome Lab since freshman year. Also, she was involved with the Baylor Language and Literacy Clinic, working to facilitate reading skills for school-age clients. Kaley is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Spain, sharing the English language and her U.S. culture to strengthen connections between American and Spanish communities. In the future, Kaley plans to pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology.

Annie Himler Cheng of Eagle, Idaho, will graduate in May 2026 with a Ph.D. in History. At Baylor, Annie is a 2024 Fundamentals of Data Research Fellow and previously presented at the 2023 National Conference of Popular Culture Association. Annie is the recipient of the Fulbright Study/Research Award to Cambodia and will focus on creating a publicly accessible digital learning tool that provides users the opportunity to visualize transpacific movements of Cambodian genocide survivors and learn about their lived experiences using audio and visual material. In the future, Annie plans to continue working with Cambodian communities throughout the United States.

Coleman Crosby of Kansas City, Missouri, received a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education in 2020. At Baylor, he served as a Community Leader and participated in Youth Ministry Teams. Coleman is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Spain, where he will teach English. In the future, Coleman plans to teach in a bilingual classroom or continue teaching Spanish.

Jennifer de la Fuente of Mission, Texas, graduated in August 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Minor in Environmental Science. At Baylor,  Jennifer served as the Latinx Coalition liaison on campus in alliance with the Department of Multicultural Affairs, becoming the Department's youngest hire as a freshman. She was responsible for bringing the Latinx organizations at Baylor in collaboration for events like Hispanic Heritage Month among other campus events. Jennifer was selected as a McNair Scholar and conducted research on the increased immigration to the U.S. from The Northern Triangle, exploring themes of immigration, asylum and the effects of U.S. policy on El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. She presented her findings in academic conferences across the United States during the pandemic. Jennifer also was a member of the President’s Diversity Committee and served multiple terms on the Student Conduct Board and Honor Code Board. She is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to South Korea, where she will teach English and coordinate cross-cultural understanding and appreciation as a proud Mexican American fronteriza. In the future, Jennifer plans to pursue a Ph.D. to serve English Language Learners and immigrant communities.

Madelene Do of Murphy, Texas, will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies and a minor in Biochemistry on the pre-medical track. At Baylor, Madelene was a prehealth mentor for the Office of Prehealth Studies, member of Alpha Epsilon Delta prehealth professional honor society, intern and student employee at Mission Waco, Mission World, and student in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core program within the Honors College. She served in leadership for the Vietnamese Students Association at Baylor, earning an Award for Multicultural Excellence from the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Madelene is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Vietnam and will be teaching English and engaging in bilingual study techniques to encourage cultural exchange with high school or college students. In the future, Madelene plans to pursue a career in medicine with emphasis on advancing healthcare equity in multicultural communities.

Isabelle Ford of Aurora, Colorado, will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a minor in Medical Humanities. At Baylor, Isabelle served as the Director of Public Relations for Alpha Delta Pi and also was involved on the service committee of the American Medical Women's Association. As a Freshman, Isabelle conducted research with Baylor's Undergraduate Laparoscopy Lab. Furthermore, Isabelle is involved with the nonprofit organization Straw to Bread with whom she traveled to Kenya twice for medical service trips. Isabelle is the recipient of the Fulbright Study/Research Award to the Netherlands, where she will focus on receiving a Master of Science in Global Health from Maastricht University. Isabelle intends to focus her studies and thesis specifically on the disparities of women's healthcare seen throughout the world. In the future, she plans to pursue a career in medicine as a physician.

Katrina Gallegos of Albuquerque, New Mexico, received her Master of Arts in Museum Studies in 2023. At Baylor, Katrina completed a fellowship with the Smithsonian Institute as a Latino Museum Studies Graduate Fellow with the National Museum of the American Latino, where she conducted preliminary research on the amount and location of U.S. Hispanic/Latino focused libraries, museums and research centers. A McNair Scholar alumna, Katrina actively volunteered with Baylor's McNair Scholars program, participating as a graduate student panelist at their annual conference and providing presentations during their summer seminars. Katrina is a CLS Portuguese Alumna and spent the summer of 2023 representing the U.S. in Brazil and studying Portuguese at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. As a graduate student, Katrina placed second in the Master's category during Baylor GSA’s 3-Minute Thesis competition. She also was awarded Baylor's Department of Museum Studies 2023 Calvin Smith Award. Katrina is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Portugal, she will teach English at the Universidade de Madeira in the Department of Arts and Humanities. Currently, Katrina is the Regional Site Manager of Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites with NM Department of Cultural Affairs, where she helps educate the public about the culture and histories of the peoples of New Mexico.

Jacelyn Jamison of Plano, Texas, will graduate in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education. At Baylor, Jacey is a member of the educational honors society Kappa Delta Pi and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. Jacey is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to South Korea, where she will teach English and coordinate cross-cultural activities through American folktales and storytelling. In the future, Jacey plans to pursue a career in higher education.

Manasi Rungta of Houston, Texas, graduated in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Fellows and Management, while on the pre-med track. At Baylor, Manasi was a pre-health medical mentor, external affairs committee member of the Global Surgery Student Alliance and public relations committee member of the Multicultural Association for Pre-health Students (MAPS). Additionally, she was deeply immersed in both laboratory and clinical research at Baylor College of Medicine, contributing to publications across various journals. Manasi is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Laos, where she will teach English and improve technological literacy through coordination of technology-based activities in and out of the classroom. In the future, Manasi plans to pursue a career in medicine, aspiring to become a future physician.

Manav Rungta of Houston, Texas, graduated in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Business of Administration in Business Fellows and Management. At Baylor, Manav was the Fundraising Chair in the Global Surgery Student Alliance, on the public relations committee in the Multicultural Association for Pre-health Students and was on Baylor’s Competitive Bollywood Fusion Dance team, Baylor TAAL. Manav also was heavily involved in lab and clinical research at Baylor College of Medicine with publications in multiple journals. Manav is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Indonesia, where he will teach English and coordinate cross-cultural activities to educate the community to lead healthier lives. In the future, Manav plans to pursue a career in medicine as a physician

Genesis Santos of Waco, Texas, will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education. At Baylor, Genesis is a McNair Scholar, a Provost’s Scholar and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Kappa Delta Pi. Furthermore, she serves as the First in Line student outreach specialist, is a School of Education ambassador and was a fellow of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate program at TERC in Boston and Rutger University’s Latinas Excelling at Doctoral Degrees program. Genesis is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Mexico, where she will teach English and fosterconnections among Texan, American and Mexican culture. In the future, Genesis plans to pursue a Ph.D. in education. 

Josie Sawyer of Augusta, Maine, will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Slavic and East European Studies. At Baylor, Josie was involved in student government in various positions, served as secretary for Baylor Ambassadors, participated in Baylor in Washington during the Spring 2023 semester, where she interned with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and was inducted into Dobro Slovo, a National Slavic Honors Society. Josie is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to the Slovak Republic, where she will teach English and engage in cross-cultural exchange. In the future, Josie plans to pursue a Masters of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies before a career in the federal government.

Sophie Webster of Houston, Texas, received a Bachelor of Arts as a University Scholar with concentrations in Political Science and International Studies in May 2023. At Baylor, Sophie was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, participated in a congressional internship through Baylor in Washington and served as parliamentarian of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. Sophie is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Poland, where she will teach English and strengthen ties across American and Polish cultures. In the future, Sophie plans to pursue a Masters of Public Affairs and a career in public policy.

Emily Wicker of Norfolk, Nebraska, graduated in 2022 with a master’s degree in Spanish, with an emphasis in linguistics. During her graduate studies at Baylor, Emily tutored and taught undergraduate students in Spanish. She then taught elementary and intermediate Spanish courses for two years as a lecturer in the Baylor Spanish department. Emily is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Colombia, where she will teach English and share her U.S. culture to foster connection between the two countries. In the future, Emily plans to continue teaching Spanish and English in higher education.

Emma Wrona of Fort Collins, Colorado, will graduate in May 2024 with Bachelor of Arts as a University Scholar with concentrations in International Studies, Political Science and Economics. At Baylor, Emma was a 2023 David L. Boren Scholar, where she studied Turkish and Azerbaijani in Baku, Azerbaijan, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and served as Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of Sigma Iota Rho International Relations Honor Society. Emma is the recipient of the Fulbright ETA to Taiwan, where she will teach English. In the future, Emma plans to pursue a Master of Public Affairs in International Relations at Princeton University before seeking a career as a Foreign Service Officer.