Towson University named a top producer of Fulbright U.S. students for second-straight year
Tigers continue receiving unparalleled opportunities across academic disciplines abroad through Fulbright U.S. Student Program
By TOWSON UNIVERSITY on February 13, 2024
Today, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Towson University for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. TU is receiving this honor for the second time in its history. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions like TU value global connection and support members of their campus communities to pursue international opportunities.
Three TU students were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2023–24 academic year, with one student being selected as an alternate. This year, TU has three semifinalists. They have passed the U.S. national selection process and are moving forward with the respective countries’ selection process.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Scholars exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges.
"I’m proud to be part of an institution that encourages and supports academic curiosity and the success of our students and young alumni,” says Towson University President Mark R. Ginsberg. “To all of our TU Fulbright Scholars, I congratulate you on your achievements and am so very impressed and inspired by your dedication to cross-cultural learning. I cannot wait to follow along with your futures stemming from this unique, memorable and impactful and very impressive experience.”
TU has had 23 Fulbright awardees since 1968. Eleven TU students and recent graduates applied for the 2024–25 application cycle, with three selected as semifinalists. The three awardees for the 2023-24 academic year mark the second-straight year the university has had multiple winners in a program cycle.
The Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards at TU—established by the Office of the Provost in 2020 and led by Mary Sajini Devadas, associate professor of chemistry—recruits and prepares students to apply for prestigious opportunities such as the Fulbright with support from Liz Shearer in the Study Abroad & Away Office and Chris Powers from the Office of International Initiatives.
“We have a unique role in the Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards: to prepare students for global careers by supporting them throughout the application process for one of the most prestigious academic awards in the world,” says Devadas. “Being able to devote our time and expertise to help TU scholars achieve their international dreams makes us proud and helps us achieve TU’s strategic goals.”
This year’s semifinalists hail from the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Fine Arts & Communication.
Lauren Asbury ‘24
Major: Anthropology and Spanish
Minor: International Studies
Award Type: Open study/research
Location: Spain
Campus Adviser: Sam Collins, Ph.D.
Ashley Hajimirsadeghi
Master’s Program: Global humanities
Award Type: Open study/research
Location: India
Campus Adviser: Sarah Gunning, Ph.D.
Taylor Richardson ‘23
Major: Dance, concentration in K–12 education
Minor: Black performance theory
Award Type: Open study/research
Location: Canada
Campus Adviser: Professor Susan Mann, MFA
“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community,” says Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over.”
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/.
For media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at jaabell AT_TOWSON.
About the Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards
The Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards supports Towson University students
seeking to advance their educational and career goals through highly competitive fellowships
and awards available nationally and globally. Faculty interested in nominating students
can do so here. For any questions, contact Mary Sajini Devadas at tucfa AT_TOWSON. Current students and alumni interested in pursuing a Fulbright application for the
next cycle can submit their intent to apply here. For more information, follow the office on Instagram.
About Towson University
Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years
of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence,
social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore,
TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with more than 20,000 students and 100 bachelor’s,
master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied
professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters,
TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds
of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets
the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive
culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.