University of Richmond Announces Twenty-Three Fulbright Semi-Finalists for 2021-2022

February 2, 2021

The University of Richmond is pleased to announce that twenty-three students have been named Semi-Finalists, advancing to the final round of selection for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2021-2022 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Selection is made in two phases: first, applicants must past through the U.S.-based National Screening Committee. These Semi-Finalists are then forwarded to the individual country commissions for the final round of selection. Final selection decisions will be made on a rolling basis from March-May. 

Over 11,000 students from 700+ institutions applied this year for one of over 2,200 grants to study, conduct research, and teach abroad for the 2021-2022 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.  

The University of Richmond’s Fulbright Semi-Finalists include eighteen current undergraduates, and five alumni; the group represents three of UR’s five academic schools. Semi-Finalists are listed below with their name, host country, and grant type: 

  • Jesse Amankwaah, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Josie Anderson, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Fiona Carter-Tod, Sweden, Study/Research Award – Biology
  • Emily Churchill, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Olivia Diaz, Colombia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Cecilia Esterline, Netherlands, Fulbright/Maastricht University Award
  • Caroline Fernandez, South Korea, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Nora Geer, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Madelyn Hair, Malaysia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Kayley Hoffman, Moldova, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Emma Hoholik, Slovak Republic, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Jillian Husband, Italy, Study/Research Award – Art History
  • Nina Joss, Chile, Study/Research Award – Journalism
  • Meher Kaur, India, Fulbright-Nehru Study/Research Award – Development Studies
  • Annalise Mangone, Dominican Republic, Study/Research Award – Anthropology
  • Casey Murano, Indonesia, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Jacob Plott, Bulgaria, Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Sabrina Ramsby, Brazil, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Sandra Reyes, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Jajsani Roane, Netherlands, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Virginia Sun, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant Award
  • Gabriela Telepman, Mexico, Binational Internship Program
  • William Walker, Hungary, English Teaching Assistant Award

"The Fulbright is a wonderful fit for Richmond students. We know our students are deeply interested in cultural exchange and are heavily engaged in their campus and communities; the Fulbright allows them to combine these interests after graduation, acting as ambassadors for the U.S. abroad,” said Dana Kuchem, Director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at the University of Richmond through the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. Interested students should plan to attend a virtual information session this spring and can register on our website.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 390,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 2,200 U.S. students, artists and early career professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English, and conduct research annually in over 160 countries throughout the world.

The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation by the United States Congress to the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support.

In the United States, the Institute of International Education administers and coordinates activities relevant to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.      

For more information about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/.