Humanities Students and Alums Top the Fulbright Semi-finalist List and Win Critical
Language Scholarship Awards
The College of Humanities is proud that six of our students have been named as 2025-2026 semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program facilitates academic exchanges in over 140 countries, allowing participants to engage in graduate study, research, or English teaching abroad. This year marks a historic achievement for the University, with the highest number of semi-finalists to date.
Being named a semi-finalist means their applications have passed an initial national review and are now under consideration by Fulbright commissions or U.S. embassies in their intended host countries. Final award announcements will be made in the coming months, joining a distinguished global network of Fulbright alums that includes Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and world leaders.
Research Candidates
Erin Hardy
B.A. in Russian and World Languages & Cultures from the College of Humanities, Spring 2025
Under the mentorship of architecture faculty at Tajik Technical University in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Hardy will investigate how architectural projects in the region have helped define and refine Tajikistan's national identity.
Reem Ikram
B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the College of Humanities, Spring 2020
Working with a faculty member in the Department of History at the University of Calcutta, Ikram aims to produce a documentary film that explores the intercultural relationship between Hinduism and Islamic mysticism (Sufism) during the reign of the Mughal Empire. In doing so, she will also address religious tolerance in modern-day India.
For this project, Ikram was invited to apply for the 2025-26 Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program.
English Teaching Assistant Candidates
Ashton Pelley
Honors B.A. in International Studies and B.S. in Spanish from the College of Humanities; Honors B.A. in Political Science from the College of Social and Behavioral Science, Spring 2025
Pelley aims to combine her interest in global affairs, advanced Spanish language skills, and experience aligning ESL language acquisition and advocacy to teach English in Spain.
Neida Munguia
B.A. in International Studies from the College of Humanities; B.A. in Political Science from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Fall 2024
Munguia aims to draw upon her ESL classroom experiences, Korean language skills, and commitment to cross-cultural pedagogy to teach English in South Korea.
Hannah Salas
B.A. in History from the College of Humanities; B.F.A with a concentration in Musical Theatre from the College of Fine Arts, Spring 2024
Salas aims to combine her academic training in the history and language of Germany, teaching and musical theatre experience, and ability to build connections with diverse groups to teach English in Germany.
Jacy Watson
Honors B.A. in Linguistics from the College of Humanities, Spring 2024
Watson aims to employ her advanced Korean language skills, TESOL certificate, and interest in ESL pedagogy to teach English in South Korea.
Critical Language Scholarship
Three Humanities students have received the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) award this year. 5,500 students have applied, and 600 undergraduate and graduate students across the U.S. have been awarded this scholarship to study one of fifteen critical languages. CLS winners will study in an intensive, fully-funded language and cultural immersion program for eight to ten weeks this summer. The 2025 winners from the College of Humanities are an impressive group of students.
Adam Cook, a graduating honors student in World Languages and Cultures and International Studies, received the CLS award for Arabic.
Erin Hardy, a graduating student of World Languages and Cultures, received the CLS award for Russian.
Richard Boyer, a senior in Middle East Studies, received the CLS award for Persian.