A Record 34 Baylor Students Named Fulbright Finalists

February 7, 2024
Fulbright photo

A University-record 34 Baylor students have been named finalists for the Fulbright Award for the 2024-25 award cycle. With opportunities ranging from study in the United Kingdom, to research in Sri Lanka, or English teaching in more than a dozen different countries, Baylor's finalists are seeking to take part in the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government.

Designed to promote mutual understanding between the United States and more than 140 countries, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants students a year of study, research, or teaching abroad. Baylor's finalists will learn ultimate results in March and April, when Fulbright commissions around the world select winners.

"We are immensely proud of our 34 finalists," notes Dr. Andrew Hogue, associate dean for engaged learning and one of Baylor's five Fulbright Program Advisors. "The Fulbright awards are highly competitive, so this is a remarkable accomplishment for these students. It is also an accomplishment for Baylor's world-class faculty and staff, more than 150 of whom supported our applicants through interviews, recommendations, and mentoring this cycle." 

Baylor students have enjoyed mounting success with the Fulbright in recent years, and this year's 34 finalists surpassed a previous record of 24 in 2022. Three cycles ago, when Baylor registered a record 14 Fulbright winners, 27% of the University's applicants won the award, resulting in Baylor's first recognition as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution. Two cycles ago, Baylor notched 12 winners, with a 28% success rate—the second consecutive year Baylor became a Fulbright Top Producer.

Dr. Daniel Benyousky, director of major fellowships and awards in Baylor's Office of Engaged Learning, says that going abroad on a Fulbright award offers a profound impact on a student, as well as those around them.

"One of the great things about the Fulbright is that it is a fit for students across disciplines. We have been delighted to see the Fulbright launch Baylor students toward all manner of future ambitions—whether in medicine, law, public service, or a wide variety of other fields. And we have seen these students impact many lives in turn, both while they're abroad and when they come back to the US."

Baylor recently launched its application process for the upcoming Fulbright cycle and will be holding sessions and workshops throughout February to help students decide if they want to apply. US citizens who graduate this year or next, alumni, as well as graduate students are eligible. 

More information about Baylor's Fulbright application process is available on the Baylor Fulbright page, where students can learn more by clicking the Students link. 

Current Baylor Fulbright Finalists

  • Sam Anliker: Study award to the University of Leeds in the UK
  • Adriana Báez: English Teaching Assistant award to Mexico
  • Kaley Birchfield: English Teaching Assistant award to Spain
  • Coleman Crosby: English Teaching Assistant award to Spain
  • Chana Dandridge: English Teaching Assistant award to Madagascar
  • Jennifer De La Fuente: English Teaching Assistant award to South Korea
  • Madelene Do: English Teaching Assistant award to Vietnam
  • Isabelle Ford: Study award to Maastricht University in the Netherlands
  • Katrina Gallegos: English Teaching Assistant award to Portugal
  • Aubrey Gilliam: English Teaching Assistant award to Turkey
  • Annie Himler: Research award to Cambodia
  • Jacey Jamison: English Teaching Assistant award to South Korea
  • Sophie Kearney: Study award to the University of Bristol in the UK
  • Ashlynn Main: English Teaching Assistant award to the Czech Republic
  • Jordan Marr: Study award to the University of Strathclyde in the UK
  • Emily O'Kief: English Teaching Assistant award to Serbia
  • Emmalyn Oscarson: English Teaching Assistant award to Romania
  • Hannah Payne: English Teaching Assistant award to Germany
  • Caroline Pullella: Study award to SciencePo in France
  • Abigail Reed: English Teaching Assistant award to Malawi
  • Elijah Roberts: English Teaching Assistant award to Germany
  • Manasi Rungta: English Teaching Assistant award to Laos
  • Manav Rungta: English Teaching Assistant award to Indonesia
  • Edric Salazar: Harriet Hale Woolley Study award in the arts in France
  • Genesis Santos: English Teaching Assistant award to Mexico
  • Josie Sawyer: English Teaching Assistant award to the Slovak Republic
  • Mahita Shankar: Research award to Sri Lanka
  • Shea Walk: Study award to University College London (Entrepreneurship Award) in the UK
  • Sophie Webster: English Teaching Assistant award to Poland
  • Krista Wichterman: English Teaching Assistant award to Bulgaria
  • Emily Wicker: English Teaching Assistant award to Colombia
  • Lily Williams: English Teaching Assistant award to Spain
  • Emma Wrona: English Teaching Assistant award to Taiwan
  • Josiah Zeigler: Study award to the University of Tel Aviv in Israel