UF named Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Students

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs named the University of Florida a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Students for the first time in 10 years. This recognition is given to the U.S. colleges and universities that received the highest number of applicants selected for the 2022-2023 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Eleven students from UF were selected for Fulbright awards for academic year 2022-2023.

Fulbright is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It is also among the largest and most diverse exchange programs in the world. Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 participants from all backgrounds and fields – including recent university graduates, teachers, scientists, researchers, artists, and others, from the United States and over 160 other countries – have participated in the Fulbright Program.

"This prestigious recognition is a testament to the academic quality of our students at the University of Florida,” said Melissa Johnson, interim director of the UF Honors Program. “We're proud of the accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty and staff who have helped make this global distinction possible.”

UF students and alumni named finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program:

• Leigh Archer, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, awarded a research grant in Chile. Archer is studying hazelnut crops in order to inform growers of best pruning methods and maintenance. After Fulbright and her Ph.D. studies conclude, she plans to apply to positions in extension programs with global focus.
• Marian Azeem-Angel, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, awarded a research grant in Denmark. She is conducting research on water filtration and denitrification. Following her year abroad, Azeem-Angel will begin Ph.D. studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Edward Brown, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Mexico. Brown was involved with the UF English Language Institute as a conversation partner for international students. After completion of his Fulbright grant, he plans to return to UF for graduate school.
• Ixchel Collazo, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Mexico. Collazo is a first-generation graduate with a psychology major, Spanish minor, and certificate in TESL. After Fulbright, she plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in counseling psychology so she can provide critical services to the Latinx community.
• Ryan Fishman, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Vietnam. At UF, Fishman studied microbiology and cell science and nutritional sciences while volunteering with UF English Language Institute as a conversation partner and at the Equal Access Clinic. When he returns to the U.S., he plans on attending medical school.
• Megan Hickey, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Panama. When Hickey returns from her Fulbright, she plans on completing a master’s in education and an ESL teaching certification. She aspires to teach in a bilingual classroom due to her interest in translanguaging—drawing on knowledge of other languages to help students better understand concepts.
• Charles Karcher, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Taiwan. Upon his return from Fulbright, he plans on teaching high school social studies and debate while eventually pursuing a Ph.D. in rhetorical studies.
• Isa Koreniuk, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in South Korea. Following her time abroad, she plans on attending graduate school in either applied linguistics or psycholinguistics.
• Abigail Lindo, College of the Arts, awarded a research grant in Portugal. Lindo is conducting ethnography research “on the cultural and sonic lives of people and the environment in São Miguel.” While abroad with Fulbright, she is also teaching a course on anthropology and music at University of the Açores.
• Camille Sicangco, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, awarded a research grant in Australia. During her time at UF, Sicango double majored in math and botany and was named an honorable mention for the nationally prestigious Udall Scholarship. After Fulbright, she plans to work in science education and conservation while applying to Ph.D. programs.
• Sophie White, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, granted an English Teaching Assistant award in Taiwan. After her Fulbright year, White plans to attend graduate school to become a marine science educator who collaborates with scientists globally.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as a Fulbright finalist,” said Camille Sicangco. “I consider myself very lucky to be in Australia conducting ecological research that I am truly passionate about and connecting with this country's warm and rich culture.”

The Fulbright competition is administered at UF through the Office of Prestigious Awards within the University Honors Program. Fulbright finalists study, conduct research and teach abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Selected in an open, merit-based competition, these scholars work in service of Fulbright’s mission to build mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Their careers are also enriched as Fulbright alumni by joining a network of esteemed recipients, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

“UF's wide array of resources and expertise afforded me the ability to explore my interests, and helped me to develop a strong sense of agency in forging the path of my life and career,” said Sicangco.

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 41 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 78 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who carry forward the Fulbright mission of enhancing mutual understanding.

UF students and alumni interested in learning more about applying to the Fulbright Program should contact Kelly J. Medley at KMedley@honors.ufl.edu. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/.