WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) recognized 50 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) as 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders to acknowledge their noteworthy engagement with the Fulbright Program during the 2023-2024 academic year. The announcement was made at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' annual conference in Aurora, Colorado. HSIs serve approximately two-thirds of all Hispanic students in U.S. higher education.
The Fulbright HSI Leaders recognized this year include seven associates colleges, five baccalaureate colleges, two special focus institutions, 10 master's colleges and universities, and 28 doctoral universities.
The Fulbright Program aims to build lasting connections between Americans and people of other countries, and having strong HSI participation in the Fulbright Program is critical to fully represent the diversity of the United States. The U.S. Department of State has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the goal of which is to increase the awareness of and participation by the Hispanic community of the United States in the Fulbright Program and in other exchange programs supported by the U.S. Department of State.
HSI students and faculty who have taken part in Fulbright opportunities come back to their campuses with new insights, and leaders of HACU-member institutions appreciate the long-term research partnerships and international collaborations made possible through Fulbright.
Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, commended the 2024 Fulbright HSI Leaders for their support of the Fulbright Program. Weinhold said, "Fulbrighters from HSIs contribute to the Program's goal of reflecting the full diversity, perspectives, and talents of the American people."
Dr. Mildred García, EdD, Chancellor of The California State University (CSU), commented that the recognition of Cal Poly Pomona, California State University, Northridge, San Diego State University, and San José State University as Fulbright HSI Leaders in 2024 continues the CSU system's longstanding commitment to the Fulbright Program. "I am confident that our engagement with the program will continue to grow as we advance our shared priority of teaching our talented and diverse students – the world's future leaders – to become active and engaged participants in our increasingly interconnected, interdependent global economy and society," said García, a two-time Fulbrighter herself. "My Fulbright experiences have enriched my personal and professional lives in immeasurable ways."