The ’s mission is to promote educational and cultural exchange around the globe through study, teaching and research. While college students are often Fulbright’s most visible mascots, faculty members also take part in the program each year to teach and conduct research internationally. For the 2024-25 academic year, UofL boasted two Fulbright Faculty Scholars from its classroom lecterns who traveled abroad and hosted one visiting faculty member from southeastern Europe.

Let’s take a spin around the globe and see where UofL’s Fulbright Faculty Scholars dropped their pins.

Fulbright Faculty Scholar: Udayan Darji

Destination: Charles University, Czech Republic

Founded in 1348 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, Charles University is one of the oldest universities in the world in continuous operation and the largest in the Czech Republic. For Udayan Darji, a professor in UofL’s within the , the chance to both teach and conduct research in the central European capital of Prague was an unmissable opportunity.

“Serving as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in Prague … has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life,” said Darji, who not only collaborated academically while abroad but also explored Czech culture through Fulbright Commission programs.

“Highlights like attending (the famous opera) “Rusalka” at the Národní divadlo, traveling to historic sites like Karlštejn Castle and the Cathedral of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora, learning Czech, enjoying the legendary Pilsner beer and forming lasting friendships have made this an unforgettable journey,” he said.

Fulbright Faculty Scholar: Jason Jaggers

Destination: Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Jason Jaggers, an associate professor of exercise physiology in UofL’s within the , called his Fulbright experience at Brazil’s Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte “transformative,” adding that it contributes major benefits not only to his department but to the entire UofL community.

“I was reminded why I became a professor through the opportunity to lecture and connect with students eager to learn and practice their English,” said Jaggers. “Many had never met an international scholar before, and it was a privilege to be that first connection.”

Beyond academics, Jaggers experienced unforgettable cultural moments in the northeastern region of Brazil such as seeing the world’s largest cashew tree and enjoying a sunset saxophone performance honored by Guinness World Records in the specific location of South America that experiences the first sunset each evening.

The world reciprocates

While UofL saw two of its own venture to faraway institutions, the ’s����welcomed a new member to the Cardinal community. Faculty sponsor Amir Amini, endowed chair of bio-imaging, hosted Fulbright Faculty Scholar and researcher Tijana Geroski, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering from the University of Kragujevac in the European nation of Serbia. Geroski has the distinction of being the first Fulbright Faculty Scholar from abroad to conduct research at the Speed School.

Established by the United States Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Scholar Program was created to strengthen mutual understanding and peaceful relations between academics both in the U.S. and around the globe, whether through the arts, public health, science and technology, or public service. Today, roughly 8,000 merit-based grants are awarded each year to students and faculty scholars of all backgrounds.

Curious where a Fulbright award could take you or your students? Explore professional opportunities at or connect with UofL’s to learn more about programs and applications for students.

Savannah Harper contributed to this story.

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 receiving����������:

Research Grants:

• Laura Hanna ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Jordan.
• Oluwadamilola (Dammy) Jeboda ’25,��College 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,��College of Arts and Sciences. Farris will participate in the “Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, & People” 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,” 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 the����from 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,��College of Arts and Sciences, for Portuguese.
• Rehan Kahloon,��College 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,��studying 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 awarded��the 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,��College 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,” Patel said.

On a bright spring day in April, the past and the future of public service came together in the courtyard of the Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium.

Klemmer Nicodemus of Hartford, Kentucky, was there with his parents to celebrate dual honors at a reception for the University of Louisville’s latest recipients of some of the world’s most prestigious scholarships.��

The student , also a minor, had won Kentucky’s only 2023 . In the United States, college juniors who hope to go into public service careers compete annually for the prestigious award, worth $30,000. Out of hundreds of applicants, usually just one student in each state wins the award.

Nicodemus, who hopes to spend his career in service as a scientist, became the 15th UofL student to win the award, giving UofL more Truman winners than any Kentucky college or university, public or private. In a rare double-honor, he was also a 2023 winner of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for U.S. sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in math, science and engineering.

Madeline Martinez and Klemmer Nicodemus bring to 12 the total number of UofL students who have won the award, established in 1986 in honor of former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Goldwater Scholars are awarded a maximum of $7,500 per academic year. To be eligible, students must be sophomores or juniors who intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics or engineering.

Nicodemus, who was also awarded the 2023 , is originally from the small rural western Kentucky city of Hartford. He is a chemical engineering major in the who is minoring in chemistry.��

His undergraduate research at UofL and with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.��

Martinez, a School of Nursing major whose hometown is Versailles, has previously conducted skin cancer research. She plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program upon graduation in 2024 focusing on cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, as well as research in the physiological effects of health disparities.

“In the future, I am excited to use my perspective as a Mexican immigrant that has navigated the healthcare system to address the barriers that affect my community,” she said on her .

The award, valued at $30,000, is given to just 62 U.S. college juniors annually and is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. Winners were announced April 12.

Nicodemus, originally from the small rural western Kentucky city of Hartford, is a chemical engineering major in the who is minoring in chemistry. His undergraduate research at UofL and with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.��

Hoping to bridge the gap between technological advancements and social policy, upon graduation he plans to pursue doctoral studies in chemical engineering and continue his career as a researcher with the DOE. He hopes to transition into policy work as a subject matter expert in his field with an eye toward enabling scientific discoveries to directly serve public needs.

Nicodemus was also one of two UofL students to be awarded a 2023 , which recognizes U.S. sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in math, science and engineering.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to represent the University of Louisville and my home state of Kentucky in both of these prestigious organizations,” he said. “It is one thing to be recognized for my accomplishments and potential as a scientist and as a public servant, respectively, but to be able to combine these two passions of mine in such elite venues as the Truman and Goldwater foundations is a dream come true; just the next step in a lifelong journey of service as a scientist.”

Among his many projects at Speed, he worked on the Team Desert Phoenix solar house in 2021 and was part of the 2020 to improve a device commonly used to treat COVID-19 and other patients with respiratory problems.

There were more than 700 applicants for this year’s Truman Scholarship from 275 colleges and universities. This year’s awardees join a community of 3,504 Truman Scholars named since the first awards in 1977. Including Nicodemus, 15 UofL students have been Truman awardees; the last UofL student to win the scholarship was in 2021.��

Nicodemus also is one of UofL’s two 2023 Goldwater Scholars. Read more.

Since 2003, UofL has produced 159 Fulbright scholars, more than all other Kentucky public institutions combined, and has been named a top producer of Fulbrights in the United States seven times.

“UofL student scholars continue to successfully position themselves through Fulbrights and other prestigious scholarships to become the next world leaders,” said Lori Gonzalez, interim UofL president. “These scholarship experiences are invaluable in an era of increasing global awareness and dependence. Our students are showing they can successfully compete on a scale that goes far beyond our city and Commonwealth and that they will affect positive change for generations to come.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers research, study and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. Administered in the U.S. by the Department of State’s Bureau of ����ֱ��al and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright program was established in 1946 to promote international goodwill through education and cultural exchange.

This year’s Fulbright winners represent the College of Arts & Sciences, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the College of Business and the School of Medicine. They are:

• Leen Abozaid: English Teaching Assistantship, Jordan��
• Reese Bergschneider: English Teaching Assistantship, Indonesia��
• Katya Kovatsenko: English Teaching Assistantship, Bulgaria��
• Henrietta (Henny) Ransdell: English Teaching Assistantship, Thailand��
• Lauren Reuss: English Teaching Assistantship, Thailand��
• Jessica (Jesse) Sanders: English Teaching Assistantship, Thailand
• Farhiya Shaban: English Teaching Assistantship, Bahrain��
• Emily Spicer: Research, Czech Republic��
• Kathryn VanderEspt: Research, Slovenia

“I am thrilled to see so many outstanding Cardinals receiving national recognition for their accomplishments—and to know these young researchers, educators and advocates are just getting started,” said Bethany Smith of the National and International Scholarships office. “UofL has a lot to celebrate in our exceptional students, as well as the supportive, involved faculty and staff mentors who help make these successes possible.”��

The university previously announced the following prestigious scholarships:

• Ben Anderson, who graduated from UofL in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, was awarded a 2022 .��
• Cornelius Sanford, who graduated from UofL in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and pan-African studies, won a 2022 .
• University of Louisville senior Samuel Kessler has earned a .
• Three University of Louisville juniors conducting undergraduate research in breast cancer, galaxies and robotics won 2022 , marking the largest number of recipients from UofL in a single year.��

For more information, visit .

Lori Porter, Afi H. Tagnedji and Christopher Trombley bring to 10 the total number of UofL students who have won the award, established in 1986 in honor of former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Goldwater Scholars are awarded a maximum of $7,500 per academic year. To be eligible, students must be sophomores or juniors who intend to pursue a research career in natural science, mathematics or engineering.

Porter, of Campbellsburg, Kentucky, is a physics and astronomy major in the College of Arts & Sciences and a . She works with Benne Holwerda studying void galaxies and, in addition, at the Flatiron Institute in New York City, conducts astrophysical research on galaxy formation and evolution with UofL alumna Blakesley Burkhart and her postdoctoral scholar, Matt Orr.��

“Studying these natural phenomena of our universe has fascinated me since elementary school, and I look forward to continuing this research under the support of the Goldwater Scholarship,” she said.

Tagnedji is an A&S chemistry and biochemistry double major who is both a and a . A native of Togo in west Africa, Tagnedji hopes to earn an MD and PhD in pharmacology and genetics.��

“The Goldwater affirms my standing as an undergraduate researcher and scientist in training,” she said. “It’s an honor.”

Tagnedji is conducting breast cancer research as well as research in insulin-resistance. Her mentors are David W. Hein, Mark P. Running, Kyung U. Hong and Linda Fuselier.

A student leader who was executive director of the Student Government Association’s Engage Lead Serve Board, she was also one of four UofL students to serve on the first student advisory board for Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary ����ֱ��.

Trombley, the third 2022 recipient, double majors in computer science engineering in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and mathematics in A&S.

His mentors are Dan Popa, Mehmed Kantardzic and Nik Chawla.

“I plan to use this award to continue my research at the on intelligent robots and computer vision under the mentorship of Dan Popa and Mehmed Kantardzic,” he said. “We are currently working on a mobile robot that uses computer vision and machine learning technology to autonomously disinfect rooms.”

Trombley plans to spend the summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducting research on intelligent algorithms at the Center for Brains, Minds and Machines. His goal is to eventually earn a PhD.

“The University of Louisville and the J.B. Speed School of Engineering helped me grow into the researcher I am today, and I am extremely thankful for the unparalleled experience the University of Louisville and Speed School have to offer,”�� he said.

Ben Anderson, who graduated from UofL in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, was awarded a 2022 . Cornelius Sanford, who graduated from UofL in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and pan-African studies, won a 2022 Charles B.��Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship.

“It is tremendously exciting for UofL to have even one recipient selected for either of these prestigious fellowships,” said Bethany Smith of UofL’s Office of National and International Scholarships. “To have two in a single year is unprecedented. Congratulations to Ben and Cornelius, who will both go on to fulfilling careers in the Foreign Service.”

Previously, only one UofL graduate had won a Pickering Fellowship (Ashley Gray, 2005), and one a Rangel Fellowship (Zerlina Bartholomew, 2019).

The sibling programs are aimed at attracting individuals “from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career” with the state department.

The difference in the programs — both of which are worth up to $42,000 a year for recipients to earn a two-year master’s degree — is primarily in the focus of their domestic internship component. Pickering Fellows intern at the state department in Washington, D.C., while Rangel Fellows intern on Capitol Hill focusing on Congress’ role in foreign policy.

Anderson, a Louisville native, won a Fulbright English Teaching Grant to Taiwan in 2019 and is the son of two UofL English department faculty members, Karen Chandler and David Anderson. He plans to study public policy.

Sanford, of Eminence, Kentucky, graduated from UofL in 2019. Afterward, he held two internships in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, he is a who served as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language Educator in rural Madagascar. He hopes to pursue international affairs and diplomacy in his graduate studies, focusing on .

Among their numerous accomplishments, both were fellows of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) program at University of California, Berkeley. Anderson was a UofL Brown Fellow, a Woodford R. Porter Scholar and a Muhammad Ali Scholar. Sanford was a Martin Luther King Scholar.

The state department represents the U.S. at more than 270 diplomatic locations around the world, including embassies, consulates and missions to international organizations.

The Mitchell Scholarship program sends future American leaders to Ireland for a year of graduate study and is one of Ireland’s most significant scholarship programs. The US-Ireland Alliance announced in November that Kessler, who will graduate in spring 2022 with an individualized major degree, was one of 12 chosen out of 351 applications for the class of 2023.

“I owe a lot of credit to the academic and co-curricular experiences I’ve had at UofL, the way that campus yields itself to having an entrepreneurial spirit, and to those who have helped my growth as a scholar who believes in the importance of harnessing the power of ideas to solve problems in the real world,” Kessler said.

The Mitchell Scholarship is one of the three “Big Brit” awards that also include the Rhodes Scholarship and the Marshall Scholarship. Kessler, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, plans to attend University College Dublin, where he will study public policy with a goal of tackling climate policy challenges behind sustainable development in natural resources and energy. He will graduate from UofL in May with a bachelor of science in applied geography and an individualized liberal studies bachelor’s of art in public policy and environmental mitigation.

Kessler has been recognized for developments in water sampling with the Kentucky Institute for the Environment & Sustainable Development and holds a patent pending with the U.S. Geological Survey. Another of Kessler’s interests has been in renewable energy, and he has worked with the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering to research using peat moss as a lower-carbon energy source.

He co-founded UofL’s first peer-reviewed journal for undergraduate student research and founded a nonprofit public-policy think tank that helped draft a bill related to the environmental economics of Kentucky’s bourbon industry.

“Sam’s intellectual breadth and indefatigable energy make him stand out in any crowd,” said Bethany Smith of UofL’s office of national and international scholarships. “I’m proud of all he has accomplished and delighted to see the Mitchell Scholarship recognize, and invest in, his potential to do even more.”

Kessler is the university’s second-ever Mitchell Scholar. The first was in 2017.