Virginia State University Named Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader

The VSU Fulbright experience provides opportunities to study and teach abroad 

Virginia State University has been named a 2022 Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years and have promoted Fulbright program opportunities on campus. This is Virginia State University’s first recognition under this new initiative.

The Fulbright Program gives talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems.

The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department as HBCU leaders, including VSU President, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, prepare to gather for the White House Initiative’s National HBCU Week Conference in Washington, DC. Fulbright opportunities will be highlighted in conference events such as the career and recruitment fair during this week.

“This Fulbright experience provides students with an opportunity to learn, grow, and experience other cultures. We are proud to be recognized for the support that we provide to our students in this program,” said VSU president, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “Internationalization is part of the VSU strategic plan to provide opportunities for VSU students to participate in international education.”

During the 2021-2022 academic year, VSU alum, Hunter Mack (2020) completed a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to the Czech Republic. Additionally, VSU has been the host institution for two recent Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (Fulbright FLTA), Ms. Micaela Ferrero (Argentina) 2021-2022 and Ms. Diana Martinez (Mexico), 2022-2023.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield commended the HBCUs receiving the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader designation this year, noting that “HBCUs are an important part of the American and global higher education communities, providing life-changing exchange opportunities for American and international students, faculty, and administrators alike,” and shared her “hope that these institutions’ success encourages all HBCUs to engage further with Fulbright and with the State Department.”