Grand Canyon Times

In just its second year being designated a Hispanic Serving Institution, Northern Arizona University has been designated one of 43 universities to be named a 2022 Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program funds research and teaching opportunities for NAU faculty, graduate students and alumni at universities throughout the world, "and brings international students and faculty to NAU to continue their work," according to a story by AZ Big Media. NAU has had 97 faculty members receive a Fulbright funding for research or to teach internationally, and 35 faculty have visited NAU as Fulbright Scholars since 1984, the release stated.

“I’m pleased that NAU’s efforts to encourage these unparalleled learning experiences, and the Fulbright Program’s 75-year support of these global exchanges, have led to this recognition," NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera said in the story. Cruz Rivera has made a priority during his administration of preparing students to be part of the global economy, meaning opportunities for international study through programs such as Fulbright carry added importance to him.

“Throughout my career, I have had countless opportunities to study with, learn from and collaborate with scholars from all over the world, and my life and scholarship are so much stronger for those opportunities,” Rivera said in the story. “I’m pleased that NAU’s efforts to encourage these unparalleled learning experiences, and the Fulbright Program’s 75-year support of these global exchanges, have led to this recognition.”

Since 1988, 21 students have received Fulbright scholarships to work or study abroad, while 114 others have come to NAU, the story stated.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his own love for the Fulbright program in a letter he sent to Cruz Rivera.

“As a diplomat, I love the Fulbright Program because it supports changemakers and fosters global cooperation," he wrote. "Fulbrighters make the world a better place in classrooms and countries worldwide, Northern Arizona University’s designation as a 2022 Fulbright HSI Institutional Leader recognizes your dedication to promoting global engagements and mutual understanding among peoples and nations.”