Virginia State University Professor Selected for Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad Program in Tanzania

Dr. Anne-Marie Turnage will depart for the East African country this summer, exploring the innovative ways the area is responding to environmental changes.

Virginia State University proudly recognizes Department of History and Philosophy professor Dr. Anne-Marie Turnage, who has been selected to participate in a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad Program in Tanzania. This summer, Turnage will embark on a six-week journey to explore innovative responses to environmental changes in urban and rural communities in East Africa.

Turnage will be a part of the Tuko Pamoja workshop organized by the School for International Training (SIT) titled "Tanzanian Creativity and Perspectives in an Era of Climate Change. The workshop aims to provide educators with ways to infuse African perspectives into U.S. classrooms and curricula when discussing climate change. 

As a geographer and historian, Dr. Turnage's passion for climate change advocacy is deeply rooted. She became interested in the opportunity through the SIT after seeing it online. Turnage expressed her enthusiasm upon learning she was one of 12 educators selected for the program out of 164 applicants.

 "I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity that will make me a better teacher, researcher, and scholar,” said Turnage. "It will ultimately enrich the educational experience of VSU students enrolled in my courses, and that's really what it's all about."

Turnage's dedication to global education is evident in her extensive experience teaching abroad. She has been teaching in Morocco for nearly 20 years and is scheduled to travel there again in May, preceding her Tanzanian expedition. Dr. Stephen Rockenbach, Chair of the Department of History and Philosophy, commended her efforts as a professor, emphasizing her commitment to offering unique educational opportunities to VSU students.

"Professor Turnage's selection to participate in the Fulbright-Hays summer workshop is exciting news and consistent with her tireless efforts to offer unique and enriching educational experiences to our students," said Rockenbach. "Professor Turnage conveys the importance of being a global citizen and challenges students to develop an awareness of international issues. This opportunity will allow her to further the institution's goal of preparing globally aware citizens by incorporating what she learns about African responses to climate change in Tanzania into her courses."

Turnage will arrive in Tanzania on June 29 and return to the U.S. before the start of the fall 2024 semester.

In September 2023, VSU was named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for the second consecutive year. The University was honored to receive the recognition, a testament to its unwavering support for global education and diversity through supporting Fulbright exchange participants and effectively promoting Fulbright program opportunities on campus.