Four LMU students have been selected as finalists, and an additional two as alternates, for the 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. All four finalists will take part in the English Teaching Assistant Award program and the primary countries where finalists will be placed are Taiwan, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia.
“LMU’s continued success with the Fulbright program illustrates our commitment to creating global citizens who understand and value the importance of cultural exchange,” said Cassidy Alvarado, Ed.D., director of National and International Fellowships.
The finalists are:
- Joseph “Jomar” Pierson, M.A. ’23, English, who is a finalist to teach English in Taiwan;
- Jonathon “Eamon” Shaw ’23, Spanish and economics, who is a finalist to teach English in Ecuador;
- Amna Siddiqui, M.A. ’22, urban education, who is a finalist to teach English in Saudi Arabia;
- and Alexia Thorpe, M.A. ’19, urban education, who is a finalist to teach English in Colombia.
The alternates are:
- Emma Blankenship ’23, psychology, who is an alternate to teach English in Thailand;
- and Elsie Mares ’21, political science, who is an alternate to enroll in the Fulbright-Queen’s University Belfast Award in Global Security and Borders master’s program.
This year 27 LMU students and alumni submitted Fulbright applications; in addition to the four finalists and two alternates, seven students were selected as semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists are:
- Jules Abella ’23, health and human sciences, English Teaching Assistant Award, Spain;
- Robert Baransaka ’22, political science, Fulbright/Queen’s University Belfast Award in Global Security and Borders, United Kingdom;
- Isabella Lopez ’23, biology, Open Study/Research Award, Spain;
- Rachel Meilak ’23, mathematics, English Teaching Assistant Award, Malta;
- Charlie Pangborn, M.A. ’22, urban education, English Teaching Assistant Award, Colombia;
- Delaney Kristean “Sy” Richardson Dragon, M.A. ’23, urban education, English Teaching Assistant Award, Palestinian Territories (West Bank);
- and Cheryl Terry ’94, production, Fulbright/University College London Award, United Kingdom.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the country’s largest exchange program, offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program awards roughly 2,000 grants annually in all fields of study and operates in more than 140 countries.
