The University of Houston’s global reach extends further and further each day. With UH Student Fulbright Scholarships at an all-time high, Cougars are traveling far and wide to expand their academic horizons and impact communities around the globe.
For the University’s efforts in supporting students’ Fulbright aspirations, it has been named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized UH with this designation.
UH is among 51 colleges and universities earning the title of Fulbright HSI Leader this year. Institutions were formally recognized during this weekend’s annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in Aurora, Colorado.
UH is Texas’ first HSI and has long been a proponent of supporting students’ dreams of traveling and studying abroad. This year, the University posted a record 14 Student Fulbrights and is looking to build on this momentum in 2025.
“It is an honor to again be named a Fulbright HSI Leader,” said UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Z. Chase. “At UH, we are in the business of supporting student success, whether that’s here on campus or at international institutions. This designation validates what we do each day, and our Student Fulbright recipients emerge from their travels more informed and better prepared for the next stages of their careers.”
Among the recent Cougar Fulbrighters is recent graduate Javier Padron, who earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He plans to visit Brazil in 2025 to further his education and learn more about new cultures and communities.
“I have always been interested in going abroad. The Fulbright award offered an opportunity to travel internationally and engage in a research opportunity,” he said. “I get to immerse myself into a foreign culture as well gain skills unique to my field of interest.”
Fulbrighters like Padron often receive guidance from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards (OURMA) and the Institute for Global Engagement when applying for this highly competitive scholarship.
OURMA, Padron said, was particularly helpful in his Fulbright efforts.
“OURMA provided me with information sessions and one-on-one sessions to review my application documents,” he said. “They also helped me review countries that I might have the best opportunity to visit.”
Seeing Coogs like Padron earn Fulbrights is particularly gratifying for faculty and staff at UH. According to Ben Rayder, director of OURMA, Cougar Fulbrighters are not only living and learning abroad, they’re serving as institutional ambassadors for the University and Houston.
“We believe that UH students have incredible stories to tell about the diversity of our institution, city and country,” he said. “Being honored as a Fulbright HSI Leader reflects OURMA’s commitment to helping our students tell those stories and making sure that opportunities like the Fulbright U.S. Student Program are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.”
Beyond their experiences abroad, UH’s Fulbrighters become part of an exclusive group of scholars. They not only share insights on the University with international communities, but they return home with invaluable experiences that shape their perspectives as professionals.
“Fulbrighters are a valued and integral part of global engagement at UH in every way,” said Amb. Michael Pelletier (Retd.), executive director of UH’s Institute for Global Engagement. “They are an integral part of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, visiting and outgoing scholars, and of course, the vibrant Fulbright alumni community.”
Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and in all fields with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex address global challenges. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.