VCU news

By Sarah Klotz and William Lineberry

Seven Virginia Commonwealth University students, three recent alumni and one staff member have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-24 academic year, one of the most competitive scholarships in the United States.  

Editor's note: This article was updated on June 1, 2023 to increase the number of recipients from 10 to 11 after an additional recipient was announced.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the federal government to increase understanding between Americans and the people of other countries. The program operates in more than 140 countries, and more than 2,000 grants are awarded annually to graduating seniors, graduate students and recent alumni. The scholars receive funding to teach English abroad, conduct research, pursue creative projects or study for a graduate degree.

“We are incredibly proud of these VCU scholars. Their uncommon achievements demonstrate VCU’s commitment to the university’s three core values of access, excellence, and impact,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at VCU. “We’re also grateful for the faculty and staff members who have supported and mentored these students throughout their academic journey. This year’s award winners represent one of the biggest such groups in the history of our institution, and that is made possible by VCU’s culture of care and our professionals who practice it every day across our campuses.”

The current VCU students who were named Fulbright recipients are:

• Oscar Kemp, who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the School of Social Work, will be an English teaching assistant in Uganda.
• Briana Meehan, who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will be an English teaching assistant in Paraguay.

• Ishaan Nandwani, a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with dual degrees in biology and Spanish from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will be an English teaching assistant in Colombia.
• Amelie Nkodo, who will graduate in 2024 with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the School of Medicine, will travel to Cameroon for a research grant in public health.

• Anne Penrod, who will graduate in May with dual degrees in psychology and sociology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will be an English teaching assistant in South Korea.
• Julia Tracy, who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, will be an English teaching assistant in Mauritius.

• Vineeth Vaidyula, a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will travel to India for a research grant in medical sciences.

The alumni recipients are:

• Atoosa Haghani, who received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2020, will be an English teaching assistant in Azerbaijan.
• Samuel Paek, who received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2018, will travel to Malawi for a research grant in medical sciences.

• Leslie Pyo, an alum of the Honors College who received a bachelor’s degree in painting and printmaking from the School of the Arts in 2016, will travel to South Korea for a research grant in creative writing.

The staff recipient is:

• Colleen Choate, a staff member in the Global Education Office and an alum of Appalachian State University. Choate will travel to India on an English teaching assistant award.

The 11 Fulbright recipients continue an upward trend of multiple honorees from VCU on an annual basis. Since the founding in 2006 of the VCU National Scholarship Office, which assists students in applying to national and international scholarships such as Fulbright, more than 80 students and alumni have received Fulbright awards. Eleven student scholarship recipients ties 2016-17 as the highest number of Fulbright awards in VCU's history.

“We could not be more excited for each of these recipients, and we hope that some of the alternates may eventually receive awards as well," said Jeff Wing, director of the NSO. "We know that each Fulbright recipient will have positive, life-changing experiences as they spread out to various corners of the globe. We are also excited to see renewed interest in spending extended periods abroad as this COVID generation finally feels free to travel again.”

In addition to the 11 recipients, VCU has three alternates who still might receive Fulbright awards.

• Muhammad Babar, a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Uzbekistan for an English teaching assistant award.

• Cameron Clay, who received a master’s degree in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2021, applied to Mexico for a research grant in biology.
• Xavier Moore, an alum of the Honors College who received dual degrees in chemistry and biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2021, applied to Belgium for a research grant in biology.

Each Fulbright candidate applied with the support and encouragement of the NSO. Current students and recent alumni are encouraged to visit the NSO blog to register for upcoming information sessions. They also can visit the NSO website to learn more about other external funding opportunities and to schedule an appointment with a staff member.