A Leader in International Relations

Citing the university’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between scholars in the United States and people around the world, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has once again named UC Santa Barbara a Fulbright HSI Leader.

The campus is one of 43 universities honored with the designation that recognizes the noteworthy engagement that selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have achieved with Fulbright exchange participants during the 2021–22 academic year, as well as the Fulbright Program opportunities they have promoted on their respective campuses.

“We are proud and honored that the State Department, for the second year in a row, has recognized UC Santa Barbara with this important designation,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, our campus is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all our scholarly and academic pursuits. The Fulbright HSI Leader designation acknowledges our long-standing dedication to global engagement and mutual understanding. We are grateful to all the community members — students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters — who have made this possible.”

For the current academic year, six graduate students, three faculty members and one staff member from UC Santa Barbara have received Fulbright Awards to conduct research and/or teach abroad. They include Clara Bailey, in chemistry and biochemistry; Sabra Harris, in East Asian languages and cultural studies; Jo Palazuelos-Krikowski, in theater and dance; Jackson Stephenson, in religious studies; Felicity Stone Richards, in political science; and Kira Weiss, in music.

Among the faculty and staff members are Paul Amar, a professor of global studies; William Elison, an associate professor of religious studies; Paul Leonardi, a professor in the Technology Management Program; and Megan Pankratz, regional advisor with the university’s Education Abroad Program.

“The Fulbright Program’s success with HSIs is built on real collaboration with you and your institutions,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs Ethan Rosenzweig. Speaking on behalf of ECA, he announced the Fulbright HSI Leaders during an international plenary session at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities annual conference in San Diego.

On Nov. 7, a Fulbright HSI virtual workshop will feature representatives of Fulbright HSI Leaders sharing best practices for HSIs to leverage Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, and build global networks. This virtual event is specifically designed for HSI faculty, staff and stakeholders and is open to the public. Those interested in attending may register at https://apply.iie.org/register/HSIWorkshop2022.

Each year, the U.S. Congress earmarks funds for the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the Fulbright Program, the government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception over 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas and contributing to finding solutions to complex international challenges.