Pitt is a Fulbright Top Producer yet again

The University of Pittsburgh has been named a top producer of Fulbright Awards — the 10th time since the 2013-2014 cycle — a distinction that highlights both the top-tier quality of Pitt students and their desire to build their leadership skills.

“I’m especially pleased to see that the University of Pittsburgh has once again earned recognition as a Fulbright top producer — and with it, the life-changing opportunities the program provides students to enhance their educational journey and then bring those experiences back to the benefit of our entire campus community,” Chancellor Joan Gabel said. “Our repeat success as a top producer reflects the strength of not only our talented students but also the dedicated faculty and staff who support them, and we’re honored to see this work recognized.”

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, counting among its winners 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners and 82 MacArthur fellows among other leaders and changemakers. Awardees are given the chance to study, teach and conduct research abroad to exchange ideas and address complex global challenges.

“Each Fulbright Award represents an exceptional student or alum with a desire to become a future leader — and this top producer designation reflects the University’s commitment to helping these students grow,” said Nicola Foote, dean of Pitt’s David C. Frederick Honors College. “I’m excited for each and every one of Pitt’s Fulbrighters and eager to see the knowledge and experience they bring back after their year of scholarship and service.”

Fifteen Pitt students and alumni earned a Fulbright this award cycle, sending them across the globe to teach English in Taiwan, research the needs of stroke survivors in India and study global health disparities in Belgium to name just a few. That brings Pitt to 129 Fulbrighters since 2013.

Key to their success is Lesha Greene, the Frederick Honors College’s director of national scholarships and post-graduation success, who advises hopeful scholars as they navigate the application. “It’s very rewarding,” she said. “You see how they change and evolve, not only through the process, but when they go abroad. The experience is so life-changing. It can really alter your path.”

The number of applicants from Pitt has been steadily increasing over the past several years, Greene said, and they’re finding a higher success than the national average, with one in three applicants receiving the scholarship. The Fulbright Top Producer designation reflects well not only on Pitt students, she said, but also on the broader network of Pitt people who support them — their instructors, advisors, mentors and more.

“Those faculty and staff are a key part of the process, and part of what makes Pitt, Pitt,” Greene said.