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Tuskegee University Named 2023 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader

September 18, 2023

Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
   

TU ranking and Fulbright graphic
  

Tuskegee, Alabama –– Tuskegee University has been designated as a 2023 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader, as recognized by the U.S. Department of State. This prestigious distinction acknowledges the institution's remarkable commitment to fostering global engagement and diversity within the Fulbright Program during the 2022-23 academic year.

"Being designated as a 2023 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for the second time is a momentous achievement for Tuskegee University,” said President Charlotte P. Morris. “This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering global engagement and promoting diversity within the Fulbright Program during the 2022-23 academic year." 

"We are deeply honored to be part of the Fulbright Program's legacy of international academic exchange, and this designation reflects our dedication to creating inclusive and enriching experiences for all participants,” she said. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Fulbright Program and contributing to solutions for critical global challenges through education and research." 

The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders Initiative, established by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019, is designed to celebrate and commend the strong partnership between the Fulbright Program and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This initiative underscores the U.S. State Department's enduring dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the Fulbright Program and across its broader exchange programs.

At Tuskegee University, a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) guides all facets of the institution's work. Tuskegee actively recruits and supports a diverse range of student and scholar applicants, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds and types of institutions are represented within the Fulbright Program. The university is committed to facilitating successful and enriching experiences for participants throughout their exchange journeys.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception over 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has allowed over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas, and contributing to finding solutions to important international problems.

Each year, the U.S. Congress appropriates funds to the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the Fulbright Program. Many foreign governments contribute substantially as well. U.S. and foreign host institutions, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, corporate partnerships, and individual donors provide additional funding and in-kind funding.

"In recent years, we've had the privilege of witnessing faculty and student Fulbright recipients proudly representing Tuskegee University on the global stage," said Dr. Rhonda Collier, the Director of the T.U. Global Office, Fulbright Alumna (Brazil and Taiwan), Fulbright Faculty Liaison, and Fulbright Program Advisor. "I take immense pride in our dedicated support to enable their scholarly pursuits and research endeavors."

"Tuskegee has been the proud host of many Visiting Fulbright Scholars from multiple countries and it has been an honor to facilitate the Tuskegee Experience for so many esteemed global scholars from various disciplines,” noted Collier.  

  • Miriam Hammond (Fulbright' 17) was an English Teaching Assistant in Ruwanda and has completed a graduate degree in Education at Harvard.
  • Timmera Whaley (Fulbright’ 17) was a US Fulbright Student Recipient to research in Nigeria.
  • Dr. David McKenzie (Fulbright' 22) was a Fulbright Scholar at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Veterinary Medicine in Ghana. He returned with a signed MOU and two research scholars. 
  • In 2020, Dr. Bababode Adelani, also from Nigeria, conducted his Fulbright research with Dr. Yates. 
  • Drs. Aliyu Muhammad and Omotosho Omolola are two Nigerian Fulbright Scholars sponsored by the Carver Center for Biomedical Research, led by Dr. Clayton Yates (22-23).

Over many years, the Fulbright Program has designed and implemented a wide range of initiatives to increase participant diversity and inclusion. The program strives to ensure its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. Fulbrighters come from all backgrounds and are selected through an open, merit-based competition, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Information on the Fulbright Program's diversity and inclusion initiatives is detailed on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.

For more information on the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov.
Stories about the positive impact of the Fulbright Program over its first 75 years can be found at: www.fulbrightprogram.org .
Follow the Fulbright Program's social media accounts and websites for highlights on HBCUs and Fulbright:

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