For the 11th time in the last 12 years, Michigan State University has been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, ranking among the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s premier international academic exchange program. Each year, it provides opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach and conduct research abroad, advancing knowledge, science and industry through international exchange and collaboration. Fulbright alumni achieve distinction and are recognized as leaders in government, business, science, technology, research, education and the arts.
“Congratulations to our MSU scholars who have accepted this opportunity to engage in this prestigious program,” said MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre. “Their dedication to intercultural relationship-building and collaboration represent the university’s longstanding commitments in these areas, fostering international exchanges driven by curiosity and innovation.”
Eleven scholars from MSU were selected for Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awards for academic year 2025–26. The following 10 faculty members accepted the award:
- Scott Boehm, associate professor, Department of Romance and Classical Studies, College of Arts and Letters (Spain).
- Natoshia Cunningham, associate professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine (Spain).
- Narendra N. Das, associate professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering (Vietnam).
- Sarah Douglas, associate professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Social Science (South Africa).
- Emine Evered, assistant professor, Department of History, College of Social Science (Turkey).
- Caitlin Kirby, academic specialist, Evidence Driven Learning Innovation, colleges of Arts and Letters and Natural Science (Germany).
- Sandra Lupien, academic specialist, Department of Forestry, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Finland).
- Deric McNish, associate professor, Department of Theatre, College of Arts and Letters (Israel).
- Brian Pentland, professor, Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Broad College of Business (Austria).
- Ed Timke, assistant professor, Department of Advertising and Public Relations, College of Communication Arts and Sciences (Sweden).
Lupien, the director of MassTimber@MSU, traveled to Helsinki, Finland, for the first segment of her Fulbright in August 2025.
“My Fulbright has provided the unique opportunity to focus on better understanding the policies that can advance mass timber construction or production — starting with what’s happening in Finland and the European Union and bringing it back to North America,” Lupien said. “The professional connections, friendships and cultural experiences I’m gaining through this process are unrivaled.
Titus Awokuse, vice provost and dean for International Studies and Programs at MSU, said MSU’s Fulbright Scholars exemplify how global engagement leads to local impact.
“Through research and partnerships abroad, Spartan Fulbrighters bring back new knowledge and global perspectives that strengthen the university and benefit our classrooms, local partners and communities across Michigan,” Awokuse said.
Awokuse will be representing MSU, one of three institutions invited to serve on the panel, “Building Campus Excellence through a Fulbright Strategy: Insights from Top-Producing Institutions,” when he speaks at the Association of International Education Administrators Annual Conference held Feb. 16–19 in Washington, D.C.
Michigan State will be hosting the second annual Michigan Fulbright Symposium March 21. The one-day event is open to Fulbright alumni, Fulbright visiting students and scholars, friends of Fulbright and potential future Fulbrighters. The university also has nine students participating in the Fulbright Student Program during the 2025–26 academic year.
Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and partner institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.
Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows and countless leaders in all sectors and industries across the United States and around the world.
Applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program at MSU are supported by Joy Campbell, MSU’s Fulbright Program advisor. More information is available at the Fulbright Program website.