MSU named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for 10th consecutive year; Social Scientist Fayyaz Hussain among group

February 14, 2024 - MSUToday

fayyazMichigan State University once again has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. MSU has the distinction of being the only doctoral institution in the nation to achieve top-producer status for the past 10 consecutive years.

Seven scholars from six MSU colleges were selected for Fulbright awards for academic year 2023-24: 

  • Courtenay Barrett, College of Education
    • Project: How Do Values Influence Educational Research Dissemination and Uptake in Ireland? (Ireland)
  • Higinio Dominguez, College of Education
    • Project: Animating Mathematical Concepts with Movement, Philosophy and Art (Mexico)
  • Meagan Driver, College of Arts and Letters
    • Project: Designing Participatory, Critical Linguistic Landscape Materials for the Foreign Language Classroom (Argentina, Greece, Austria)
  • Fayyaz Hussain, CoFayyaz Hussainllege of Social Science
    • Project: Critical Analysis of Violence Against Women in South Asia: Focus on Pakistan (Pakistan)
  • András Komaromy, College of Veterinary Medicine
    • Project: Development of Novel and Improved Therapy for Glaucoma (Australia)
  • Casey O’Donnell, College of Communication Arts and Sciences
    • Project: Making Games Differently (Finland)
  • Abou Traoré, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Project: Market Food Waste to Sustainable Value Chain Systems (Côte d’Ivoire)  

“Michigan State’s commitment to advancing knowledge and transforming lives plays out in an increasingly interdependent world, and scholarship in international settings adds great value to the work of our faculty members,” said MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. “The Fulbright Program has been a constant partner in offering such opportunities for professional growth. I am grateful for our long and productive relationship and extend my heartiest congratulations to our newest Fulbright Scholars.”

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, offering students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. The program is among the largest and most diverse exchange programs in the world, forming a global network of Fulbrighters and fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and partner nations to advance knowledge and improve lives around the world. 

“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community. Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over,” said Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs. 

The Fulbright Program has long been an integral part of MSU’s international engagement. MSU has produced Fulbright Scholars every year since 1950. Since then, there have been nearly 500 Spartan Fulbright U.S. Scholars, with an average of more than six per year.

“Fulbright Scholars play an important role in fulfilling the university’s global mission, serving as ambassadors for MSU while abroad, broadening our international partnerships, enhancing our reputation and deepening ties with institutions and communities around the world,” said Steven Hanson, vice provost and dean for International Studies and Programs at MSU. “When they return, they bring new knowledge, insights and global perspectives that enrich the entire Spartan community.”

The Fulbright Program also provides significant personal and career benefits for scholars, helping to advance their research, increasing opportunities for international co-publications, expanding their professional networks and much more.

“Being awarded the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2019 offered me tremendous opportunities to conduct research for my recently published book, ‘Law Democratized: A Blueprint for Solving the Justice Crisis,’” said  MSU Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson. “As a current Fulbright Ambassador, I am thrilled to see so many scholars selected for this prestigious honor.”

The Fulbright Scholar competition for the 2024-25 academic year opens Feb. 15. For more information about MSU's Fulbright programs, contact Joy Campbell, Fulbright Program adviser.

This story originally appeared in MSUToday on 2/14/24.