Spelman College Once Again Named Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader by the U.S. Department of State

Spelman Recognized by Fulbright for Exceptional International Engagement

Spelman College is proud to be named as a 2025 Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Leader. The College has been recognized as an HBCU Institutional Leader in each of the six years that the designation has been announced. The initiative recognizes HBCUs with exceptional engagement with Fulbright, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.

 “Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said Spelman Interim President Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer, C’84. “This recognition reflects our dedication to preparing students and faculty to lead, serve and engage across borders, and we are proud to be part of a program that transforms lives through international education.”

HBCU Institutional Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and encourage administrators, faculty and students at HBCUs to engage with Fulbright on campus. The initiative highlights HBCU alumni and faculty excellence, as well as HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars.

Spelman was selected for its strong and active involvement in Fulbright programs and initiatives. Central to this recognition is the Department of World Languages and Cultures, which hosted four Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FTLAs) on campus as part of the Fulbright FTLA Program last year. Through this program, the FTLAs fully immersed themselves in the Spelman community, living, studying and teaching on campus. They engaged directly with students learning French, Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese, enriching the College’s global and intercultural learning environment.

To date, over 50 Spelman students have participated in the Fulbright Fellows Program. The program is led by professors Dr. Michelle S. Hite, associate professor of literature, media and writing, program director of Spelman’s Honors Program and co-director of the International Fellowships and Scholarships program; and Dr. Andrea Lewis, director of the Student Success Program, associate professor of education and co-director of the International Fellowships and Scholarships program.

Fulbright is one of the most widely recognized and prestigious international academic exchange programs in the world. Those selected for the program typically share a strong academic background and intellectual curiosity, are leaders or show leadership potential and have a passion for increasing mutual understanding among nations and cultures. Through the program, participants study, teach, conduct research, pursue professional projects, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international challenges.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided nearly 450,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals, of all backgrounds and in all fields, the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges.

Learn more about the Fulbright Program. For more information about Spelman’s commitment to international exchange, visit the Gordon-Zeto Center.