VCU news

By Meredith Sisson

Thirteen Virginia Commonwealth University students and recent graduates have been named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2021-22 academic year. These candidates will advance to the final round of selection and will be notified of their selection on a rolling basis from March through May.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is highly competitive, having received over 11,000 applications this year from more than 700 U.S. institutions for its approximately 2,200 grants to conduct research, pursue a creative project, study or teach English abroad. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

VCU’s 13 Fulbright semifinalists include four current students and nine recent alumni. Semifinalists are listed below with their name, host country and grant type: 

• Maya Barnes, who received her bachelor’s degree in international studies from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2017, applied to Thailand for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Cameron Clay, who will graduate in 2021 with a master’s in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Mexico for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Anna Connor, who graduated in 2020 with dual degrees in urban planning from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and in political science from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to India for a Study/Research Award in Urban Planning.
• Omar Crockett, who graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s in foreign languages from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Bahrain for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Lindsay Goodrich Komline, who will graduate in 2021 with a master’s in clinical social work from the School of Social Work, applied to Guatemala for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Chelsea Jones, who will graduate in 2021 with a doctorate in systems modeling and analysis from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to the Philippines for a Study/Research Award in Mathematics.
• Allison Keith, who graduated in 2019 with bachelor’s degrees in French and psychology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Germany for a Study/Research Award in Linguistics.
• Madeline King, who graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s in art history from VCU School of the Arts, applied to the United Kingdom for a Study/Research Award in Art History.
• Andre Medina, who will graduate in 2021 with a bachelor’s in sculpture and extended media from VCU School of the Arts, applied to Canada for a Study/Research Award in Installation Art.
• Kelly Nguyen, who graduated in 2020 with bachelor’s degrees in international studies and political science, and who was a member of the VCU Honors College, applied to Brazil for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Jenna Ortiz, who graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s in history from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Uruguay for an English Teaching Assistant Award.
• Siona Peterous, who graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s in political science from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Ethiopia for a Study/Research Award in Urban Planning.
•  An additional VCU semifinalist from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs applied for an English Teaching Assistant Award in Uzbekistan.
  
  

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The program operates in over 160 countries worldwide. VCU’s National Scholarship Office assists students in their application process for the Fulbright Program and other esteemed awards. Interested students should visit https://blogs.vcu.edu/natlscholar/ to register for a virtual information session to learn more.