7 TU students named Fulbright semifinalists
With record high submissions, candidates hope to learn, teach and grow in countries such as South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Israel
Towson University is continuing its tradition of preparing talented and accomplished students to travel the world and make a difference.
Seven TU students and alumni have been selected as semifinalists for the 2026–27 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. They were chosen from 22 submissions, the most applicants in school history.
Administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program provides competitive, merit-based grants for individually designed study/research projects abroad or English Teaching Assistant (ETA) programs outside the U.S. The program operates in more than 140 countries and awards grants in nearly all fields and disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, STEM fields and creative and performing arts.
TU’s Fulbright candidates include five students applying to the ETA program, one student pursuing graduate study and one student conducting independent research.
“We have a unique role in the Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards: preparing students for global careers by supporting them throughout the application process for some of the most prestigious academic awards in the world,” says Mary Sajini Devadas, associate professor of chemistry and director of competitive fellowships & awards.
“We are extremely proud of what these students have accomplished and irrespective of the final outcome, we are excited to see what the future holds for these students as they DREAM BIG!"
Meet TU’s semifinalists and read where they hope to study.
English Teaching Assistant Award
Karina Balladares-Santos
Karina Balladares-Santos is a senior elementary and special education major who applied to be an ETA in Spain’s Canary Islands. She is hoping to deepen her understanding of teaching methodologies and strengthen her practice as culturally responsive educator.
English Teaching Assistant Award
David Christian
David Christian is a second-year master’s degree student in the Human Resource Development program. He graduated from TU with his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2024. He is applying to be an ETA in Taiwan to both grow as a teacher and cultural learner.
English Teaching Assistant Award
Stephanie Duque
Stephanie Duque is a senior psychology major in TU Honors College who is applying to for an ETA in Spain, where she hopes to expand her skills in teaching by creating interactive activities for students to help them find joy in learning.
Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Award - Project
Ashley Hajimirsadeghi
Ashley Hajimirsadeghi is a TU alumna who graduated in 2024 with a master’s degree in global humanities. Hajimirsadeghi is hoping to use the Fulbright Scholarship to travel to South Korea for a project on a series of ethnographic and autoethnographic poetry created in Seoul and Busan.
English Teaching Assistant Award
Leah Niles
Leah Niles is a senior international studies major who is applying to be an ETA in South Korea. The Fulbright scholarship aligns with Niles’ long-term goal of becoming an educator for students who aspire to get a global education.
English Teaching Assistant Award
Luis Rodriguez-Lecha
Luis Rodriguez-Lecha is a double major in Spanish and English, and Honors College student, who is applying to be an ETA in Spain. As a Hispanic person raised in the U.S., Rodriguez-Lecha observed different cultural differences and barriers between his family and those of his friends.
MA Degree Award
Jacob Rosenbloom
Jacob Rosenbloom is a TU alumnus who graduated in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics. To address food insecurity challenges, Rosenbloom is applying to research root development in Arabidopsis as part of the master’s program in plant sciences at Tel Aviv University.
About TU's 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 or Fran Botkin at fbotkin AT_TOWSON .
Current students and alumni interested in pursuing a Fulbright application for the next cycle can submit their intent to apply. For more information, follow the office on Instagram or visit our website.