Six University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have earned Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards for the 2023-24 academic year. Another four were named semifinalists.

The Fulbright program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, is supported by an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as well as partner countries around the world.

Since 1946, the program has provided more than 400,000 participants from 160-plus countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research; exchange ideas; and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbright recipients are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement, and record of service.

One student, Jaela Hardin, was offered a study/research grant to support psychology research in Costa Rica. Five other Husker students were offered English Teaching Assistant placements to support English language classroom instruction and serve as cultural ambassadors for the United States.

Following is a list of students who were offered Fulbright awards, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their academic major(s), country where they will teach and/or study and Fulbright grant type.

Nebraska

• Alma: Sadie Ritter, global studies and Russian, Kazakhstan, English Teaching Assistant
• Gering: Jaela Hardin, psychology and Spanish, Costa Rica, Study/Research
• Omaha: McKenzie Nelson, German and global studies, Germany, English Teaching Assistant
• Raymond: Rachael Lange, philosophy and Russian, Georgia, English Teaching Assistant

Elsewhere

• Modesto, California: Dwight Miller; teaching, learning and teacher education (master’s program), Nepal, English Teaching Assistant
• Portland, Oregon: Francine Mace; global studies, political science and Latin American studies, Argentina, English Teaching Assistant

Additionally, four Husker students and recent alumni were recommended to the host countries for funding consideration and recognized by the U.S. National Screening Committee as semifinalists. They are:

Nebraska

• Beatrice: Aaliyah Miller, nutrition and health sciences and psychology, Taiwan, Master’s Degree Program Awards: Taipei Medical University Awards in Mind, Brain and Consciousness
• Grand Island: Isabelle Vlach, global studies, Germany, English Teaching Assistant
• Humphrey: Kelly Zach, classics and religious studies, Turkey, English Teaching Assistant
• Lincoln: Allison Shelbourn, biological sciences and psychology, Colombia, English Teaching Assistant

At Nebraska, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships advises and nominates undergraduate candidates for 30 supported scholarships and fellowships. To learn more, students and campus community members should contact Courtney Santos, director of undergraduate research and fellowships, at courtney.santos@unl.edu.