After a challenging few years for international engagement, nine Michigan State University students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2022-23 academic year and four additional candidates have been named as alternates. More than 9,300 applications were submitted in this cycle, according to the Institute of International Education. 

As Fulbright participants, grantees will study, conduct research and teach abroad for the 2022-23 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service. 

The 2022-23 MSU Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantees are: 

Research or study project awards

• Marlo Buser, Serbia – Ph.D., History, College of Social Science
• Amelia Cole, Indonesia – B.S., Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Nicolei Gupit, Philippines – MFA, Art, Art History, and Design, College of Arts & Letters
• Zachary Sneed, Israel – B.A., Linguistics, College of Arts & Letters 
• Mayson Whipple, Portugal – Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering

English teaching assistantship awards

• Kaylah Jetton, Laos – B.A., Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities, College of Arts & Letters
• Emily Keller, Spain – B.A., Spanish & Secondary Education, College of Arts & Letters
• Emily McHarg, Germany – B.A., International Relations, James Madison College
• Mariam Sayed, Morocco – B.S., Physiology, College of Natural Science, B.A., French, College of Arts & Letters

The following students have been designated alternates and have an opportunity to receive an award if funding becomes available:

• Solomon Kronberg, Thailand – B.A., Comparative Cultures and Politics, James Madison College
• Maxine Osorio, Spain – B.A., Special Education, College of Education
• Kelsey Wagner, Thailand – Ph.D., Cultural Anthropology, College of Social Science
• Bridget Walker, Malawi – B.S., Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Natural Science

“The breadth of interests represented in this year’s finalists and alternates prove that no matter your home college or academic discipline or level of study, every Spartan can be a Global Spartan,” said Joy Campbell, Fulbright Program advisor at MSU. “MSU offers students the opportunity to see their studies through a global filter – we are so proud of these students who have embraced that opportunity as they head out to start incredible work in all corners of the world.”

Fulbright alumni go on to have careers enriched by joining a network of thousands of esteemed alumni, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Fulbright alumni include 61 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients and 40 who have served as a head of state or government.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the U.S. and partner countries around the world. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants from over 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.  

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program at MSU is administered through International Studies and Programs. For more information about the program, visit isp.msu.edu/fulbright. For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.

This story originally appeared on the International Studies & Programs website.