The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange initiative, once again saw a strong representation from UofL.

Nine UofL students earned 2025 Fulbright Awards, securing opportunities for research and English teaching assistantships. Since 2001, UofL has been a Fulbright powerhouse, producing over 180 scholars (the most in Kentucky) and earning national recognition seven times.

Those receivingÌıÌı²¹°ù±ğ:

Research Grants:

• Laura Hanna ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Jordan.
• Oluwadamilola (Dammy) Jeboda ’25,ÌıCollege of Arts and Sciences, to Switzerland.
• Brady Smith ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Germany.
• Calian Zirilli ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Chile.

English Teaching Assistantships (ETA):

• Piper Coleman ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Taiwan.
• Anna Kelly ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Spain.
• Ryan Apperson ‘24, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Turkey.

Bryan Lopez ‘25 and Jasmine Procita ‘25, College of Arts of Sciences, who also received ETA Fulbrights, will be pursuing alternative endeavors.

Additionally, the , which offers immersive academic programs and cultural exploration in the United Kingdom, recognized Ace Farris,ÌıCollege of Arts and Sciences. Farris will participate in the “Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, & Peopleâ€� at King’s College London.

The Fulbright award often represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort for many UofL students. Jeboda, a recipient of the prestigious award, engaged in research throughout her undergraduate career at UofL. Her undergraduate research exploring Malawian public opinion on wastewater-based epidemiology with associate professor Rochelle Holm at Envirome Institute was .

Jeboda encourages students to explore and participate in undergraduate research.

“Pursue a topic that you would genuinely like to learn more about. One of the most exciting aspects of research is finding answers to your questions. And don’t shy away from interdisciplinary research,â€� Jeboda said.

Jeboda also credited the Honors Program as playing a significant role in her success.

“The Honors Program has been central to my career at UofL. Within it, I’ve learned a lot, found incredibly supportive mentors and been exposed to professional development opportunities,� Jeboda said. “It’s been a smaller community within the university, and made my experience feel more personal.�

Other prestigious scholars

Two students were awarded theÌıÌıfrom the U.S. Department of State. The CLS program provides opportunities for overseas language and cultural immersion in critical languages that are essential to the United States’ engagement with the world.

CLS recipients are:

• Tia Alchureiqi,ÌıCollege of Arts and Sciences, for Portuguese.
• Rehan Kahloon,ÌıCollege of Arts and Sciences, for Arabic.

Five students were awarded the a nationally competitive award for Pell Grant eligible students to study abroad.

• Amanda Estefany Cobian Batista,Ìıstudying in Spain for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Isabella Sara Santos Bastien, studying in Brazil fall semester 2025.
• Zahraa Ahmed Hatem Abbas, studying in Italy summer 2025.
• Kadence Bradford, studying in Costa Rica summer 2025.
• Nalani Avalos, studying in South Korea summer 2025.

Railey Stonex ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the , which supports graduate study in the United Kingdom for outstanding UofL College of Arts & Sciences graduates.

Tuesday Shaw, College of Arts and Sciences was awardedÌıthe to Moldova. The Boren Awards provide students in all fields of study with funding for immersive study abroad in languages and regions of interest to U.S. national security.

Gzeonie Hampton, College of Arts and Sciences, was named a recipient of the . This program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, prepares outstanding individuals for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Henrietta Ransdell ’21, ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the . This fellowship fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding through immersive work experiences in Asia.

Alexandria Ipock-Groves,ÌıCollege of Arts and Sciences, was named a finalist for the created by the Obama Foundation and Brian Chesky. This scholarship supports young leaders with financial aid, travel experiences and mentorship.

The , a highly selective two-year initiative designed for recent college graduates, offers a unique opportunity to engage with high-impact nonprofits in major metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. Patel will be working with Reading Partners, an organization in New York dedicated to fostering childhood literacy.

The road to this accomplishment was not without its twists and turns. Recounting her time at UofL, Patel reflected on the initial ambiguity of her academic journey.

“There was a running joke with my friends about how many times I changed my major. There was always a lot of uncertainty for me,” Patel said.

Patel ultimately chose a degree in sociology and an individualized degree in social biology after taking classes she enjoyed in the majors.

“I didn’t know where sociology was leading me, but I knew I wanted to take more classes after I took my first one,� said Patel. “My academic background prepared me to work in this field because now I have a deep and intricate understanding of social issues.�

During her two-years as a Community Engagement Fellow, Patel will provide one-on-one tutoring and complete a special project focused on volunteer recruitment. The work will be similar to an experience she had her first year at UofL volunteering with , a non-profit dedicated to early literacy interventions, as part of a .

“I really enjoyed doing that work and saw the impact in the students I mentored. That was what drew me to apply to Reading Partners,” said Patel. “It’s funny how things work out. At the time, doing that, I didn’t know where it was going to lead me and now I will be doing very similar work in the next two years.”

Amidst the excitement for what’s next, Patel remains grounded, acknowledging the pivotal role UofL played in shaping her aspirations for social impact.

“I’m very thankful for not only my professors, of course, who made their classes impactful but also for the that provided me the opportunity to live with and be surrounded by people that have similar interests,â€� Patel said.

On MLK Day, the scholars will participate for the second time in a day of service, helping organizations throughout the community. In fact, this program was created specifically to focus on service and social justice, using Dr. King’s work and the Civil Rights Movement as the primary points of study.

Second-year scholars travel to the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement – Selma, Birmingham, Montgomery and Memphis – to explore these historical areas firsthand and gain new insight from the era and how to apply it to their academic and professional endeavors.

“Students who apply to the program seek it out because of its focus on social justice issues and because they want to become social agents of change for their communities,� Russell said. “Our program is young, but we have a lot of success stories, including students who have gone onto law school and to med school. Our students are doing big things.�

Russell adds that while housed in the University Housing Program, the MLK Scholars Program could not thrive the way it does without support from the Cultural Center, Admissions, the Anne Braden Institute, Social Change, the Peace, Justice and Conflict Transformation Program and others.

The 2023 cohort

Arianna Moya Porras, from Louisville, is the founder and field organizer of the Latino and Hispanic Empowerment Organization, and is also the vice-president and co-founder of the Earth Activists and the Community Outreach Coordinator for her school’s Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program. Arianna is also involved with organizations such as the Y Club, One Blue Wall Literary Magazine, Women in Science and Engineering, and the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students, among others. She has dedicated over 120 hours of tutoring help to the Americana Community Center. Her peace/social justice area of interest is increasing Hispanic voter engagement and education. She majors in political science.

Marco Munoz, a bioengineering major from Louisville, is involved with a number of organizations, including the Latin American and Hispanic Student Organization, the Beta Club, the Science Olympiad, and all-county orchestra. He volunteers with the Americana Community Center, La Casita Community Center, the Kentucky Humane Society, and the Adelante Hispanic Achievers. His peace/social justice area of interest is removing barriers and increasing opportunities for immigrant students.

Exile Lukudu, from Louisville, a biology major, played soccer, viola and Conga drums at his high school, Butler. In his community, Exile has held leading roles in church plays and acts as a leader in his youth group. His peace/social justice area of interest is eliminating discrimination through cultural understanding and appreciation.

Rachel Burns, a sociology major from Lexington, can play eight instruments. Rachel serves as a mentor to orchestral students and as a camp counselor at the Wesley Woods Summer Camp for elementary and middle school students. She has helped organize Black History Pajama Night every year since 2012 at a local elementary school, and is a mentor for the Girls Guiding Girls Program. She is involved with clubs such as the Younglife Club, the Equity in Advanced Placement program, the History Club, and the Psychology Club. As a hostess at Texas Roadhouse, she translates for Spanish-speaking customers. Her peace/social justice area of interest is spreading awareness of police brutality against the African American community through education and art.

Olivia Ridgeway, from Versailles, double-majors in political science and Pan-African studies. She has served as a moderator for the Chamber of Commerce Political Forums, has interned for the Amy McGrath for Congress Campaign, has coordinated and hosted the Versailles Mayor Debate, created the Random Acts of Kindness Club, and interned for the Spark Community Café. Olivia has been involved in many other organizations, including the NIA African American Girls Alliance Club, the Film Club, the Woodford Student Leadership Council, and the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. Her peace/social justice area of interest is combatting homelessness through sustainable housing and food programs.

Camila Perez, from Bowling Green, is a chemistry major who served as an officer of the Science Club and is a member of the National BETA Club, the Spanish National Honors Society, the Spirit Club, and the Future Healthcare Professionals in high school. She was also a varsity member of the track and field team. Camila has helped organized a Walk for Water, raising money for drinking wells in impoverished countries, and has volunteered with the Salvation Army and United Way. Her peace/social justice area of interest is cultivating cultural literacy and decrease hiring discrimination.

Louisville native Nyah Smith, a bioengineering major, played for her high school girls basketball while tutoring middle school students through the Cabbage Patch and B-Elite Mentoring Programs. Nyah has also developed and implemented a study skills enrichment program. Additionally, Nyah was a member of the Black Student Union, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has participated in the 2018 National Youth Leadership Program, focusing on Medicine. Her peace/social justice area of interest is improving education for Black students to overcome social, economic, and political oppression.

Afi Tagnedji from Todome, Togo, is majoring in biochemistry. She was the head of surgery within her school’s chapter of the Future Physicians of America Club, as well as president of her Student Body Council and captain of both the Rifle Team and the Lady Raiders Soccer team. She has served on the Jefferson County Superintendent Advisory Council and the Academic team, as well as on the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. In her community, Afi has volunteered for the Youth Service Center, as a peer tutor, and for the Student Leadership Team Planning Committee. Her peace/social justice area of interest is affordable healthcare.

Louisville native Sadie Finley serves as a Youth Development Specialist at Saint Vincent dePaul Family Success Center, where she helps low-income and homeless students with homework. In her community, she volunteers extensively with the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Diversity, Equity, and Poverty Committee. Her roles include camp counselor at the Girls Excelling in Math and Science program, STEM-based Camp Invention, and the Summer Literacy Program at St. Vincent dePaul. Sadie is also a member of YPAS concert choir and guitar ensemble, the Black Student Union, the Crimson Scholars, and the Kiwanis Key Club. Sadie’s peace/social justice area of interest is minority youth education and support.

Louisville native Gordon Rowe III majors in finance with a minor in political science. In high school, he held numerous leadership roles, including president of his senior class, treasurer of his junior class, President of the Black Student Union, and Student Ambassador for two years. He also works as a Kids Club Attendant through the YMCA, is a member of the Muhammad Ali Council of Students, the Future Business Leaders of America, the John Schnatter Economics Program, and the YMCA Black Achievers. In his community, Gordon has volunteered with numerous neighborhood cleanups and served at Family Scholar House and Hotel Louisville. His peace/social justice area of interest is empowering Black citizens in West Louisville educationally and economically.

This year’s projects have included the study of probiotics’ impact on your gut, conspiracies on what happened in the Sandy Hook shooting and the UofL EAT Lab’s research on eating disorders.

Ìı“We want to stress that our undergraduates have access to work that in other places only graduate students get access to,â€� said Charlie Leonard, a UofL honors program professor. “The best UofL undergraduates are as good as any ivy league or West Coast schools.â€�

The UofL faculty pushed the undergrads to apply critical thinking and investigative skills to complete important, basic research.ÌıÌı

“I gained a greater appreciation for science and all that the trials and tribulations (researchers) go through to generate such data. It was really great,� said UofL student Orion Rushin.

Check out more about the program:Ìı

This year’s bumper crop of freshmen exceeds last year’s historic count by 100 students. Not only are there more of them, they represent a wider range of backgrounds than previous classes: 13.5 percent of its members are African American, and 4.1 percent are Latino. Executive Director of Admissions Jenny Sawyer believes that this is a new record for racial diversity.

“I checked our numbers going back to 1988 and I feel pretty confident that this year represents our highest numbers for African American and Hispanic/Latino students,� she said.

In addition, this year’s freshman class is the most well-prepared academically in the institution’s history. Nearly half of its students will arrive having already earned some level of college credit, and its average ACTÌıscore of 25.5 surpasses both the 2015 national average of 21 and the state average of 20. Of the freshman class, 465 Ìıstudents are part of the university’s honors program, while 236 are Kentucky Governor’s Scholars.

“It’s a good feeling to know that we are attracting top-notch students from across the U.S. who are well equipped to begin college,� said UofL Acting President Neville Pinto. “Our incoming students are extraordinary in many ways — nearly half already have some college credits, the class is highly diverse and their ACT scores are impressive.�

Most of the class hails from nearby: 78.7 percent (2,280) are Kentuckians, and nearly half Ìı(1,055) are from Jefferson County. Just over 17 percent of the class comes from outside the commonwealth, representing 36 states. MostÌıare ready to call UofL home for the year, with 73.8 percent living on campus.

The most popular declared majors among the new class are Engineering, Business and Nursing. They will embark on these and many other degree programs on Monday, Aug. 22 asÌıundergraduates begin the fall semester.Ìı