W&J among top producers of Fulbright Scholars
Washington & Jefferson College has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Four members of the W&J community received Fulbright Awards in the 2016-17 academic year: Michael Shaughnessy, Ph.D., associate dean of graduate studies and international programs; Jennifer Harding, Ph.D., associate professor of English; H.J. Manzari, Ph.D., associate professor of modern languages; and alumna Heather Painter, Class of 2013.
Shaughnessy received an award in the U.S.-France International Education Administrators Program. He will meet with French international education professionals, tour French university campuses, meet with government officials and participate in networking and cultural activities.
Harding received a Faculty Fulbright through the Core Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. She will teach two American Studies courses at Charles University: a survey of American literature and a master’s-level course on literature by African-American women.
Manzari received an award through the Fulbright Specialist Program. The award recognizes him as a specialist in Latino and Latin American/Caribbean studies. He is eligible to work and teach in two countries for two to six weeks over the next five years, and is currently seeking opportunities in Italy and France.
Painter received a U.S. Fulbright Student Grant to Austria and will begin a master’s program at the University of Vienna in the spring. She also will work with the nonprofit Educult Institute for Cultural and Policy Management, and teach English as a foreign language at a local high school.
Painter completed an appointment with Teach for America in Arkansas in 2014. She followed it with a research project in Cologne, Germany, through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Program in 2015.
“The fact that four members of the W&J community have received Fulbright awards in a single year is a testimony to the great work we have done as an institution, and the tremendous advocacy of President (Tori) Haring-Smith during her tenure,” Shaughnessy said. “At the beginning of her presidency, W&J had a lot of work to do to raise its international profile. Now we are in the enviable position of leadership and growth for all things international.”