Michigan State University has been recognized as a “Top Producing Institution” for Fulbright U.S. Students in 2024-25 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In total, 10 MSU students and alumni were offered Fulbright awards with nine accepting. 

“I'm thrilled that MSU has received this honor. These are incredibly competitive awards and to have 10 students offered Fulbright grants shows the outstanding caliber of our applicants,” said Joy Campbell, MSU's Fulbright advisor.  

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. 

“Michigan State is committed to providing opportunities where all Spartans become global leaders, where their understanding of the human experience extends beyond domestic borders. The 2024-25 Fulbright Student finalists represent the very best of what MSU offers, and our role as a proudly public global institution, said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.” 

The 2024-25 MSU Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalists represent six degree-granting MSU colleges: 

Research project awards

• Graham Diedrich '21 and '23, Greece and Bulgaria, College of Natural Science and College of Social Science
• Katie McGraw '24, Malawi, College of Natural Science
• Nan Nourn, Cambodia, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Natural Science

English teaching assistantship awards

• Liam Donahue '24, Germany, James Madison College and College of Arts and Letters
• Truman Forbes '24, Rwanda, Honors College, James Madison College and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Zoe Pride '22 and '24, Switzerland, College of Arts and Letters
• Nolan Rachocki '24, Switzerland, James Madison College and College of Arts and Letters
• Xue Lin Wang '19, Taiwan, College of Social Science
• Isabella Williams '21, Spain, College of Arts and Letters and College of Education
• Caroline Zackerman '24, Spain, Honors College and College of Arts and Letters

Forbes, whose English Teaching Assistantship is at a private Jesuit school in Kigali, Rwanda, has a total of 400 students.  

“It’s definitely been a journey, but it’s been incredibly rewarding and eye-opening,” Forbes said. “This term, we helped start the school’s first Model United Nations Club. This has been my favorite experience so far.” 

Forbes says he isn’t ready to return to the U.S. when his Fulbright ends, so he is already looking for jobs in Rwanda. “An MSU professor of mine did her Fulbright research here about 10-15 years ago and got me connected with a rural development center outside of the city. I started teaching an English class there on the weekends for primary school kids,” said Forbes. “I’m hoping to help with and learn more about the center’s agriculture and food security programs.” 

Donahue, who also has an English teaching assistantship and is living in a small German town in the Rhineland, says the experience so far constantly reminds him how interconnected the world has become. “Students are captivated by the flashy and viral images of American life that flood into their social media feeds. This vast representation of American culture has heightened the need for cross-cultural dialogue to sift through the truths and falsehoods about the United States that exist in the European sphere,” Donahue said. 

He continued, “I honestly feel that the work of the Fulbright Program has only become more important, and I foresee many difficult but productive conversations about the state of America and the importance of international cooperation before the end of my term.” 

Katie McGraw is returning to Malawi on a Fulbright grant to study the relationship between blood type and the severity of malaria in children. She arrived only a few weeks ago. “It has been so great to reconnect with my old friends in the laboratory,” said McGraw, who is working to set up her project in the same lab she was in during her MSU education abroad program. 

“With a 75+ year history, Fulbright programs are recognized worldwide, and an award opens doors for the rest of a recipient's career,” Campbell said. “The transferable skills like intercultural competence, flexibility and language proficiency, as well as global connections can pave the way for careers in the U.S. and around the world.”   

In addition to students, five faculty scholars from four MSU colleges were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2024-25 academic year:

• Sarah Fitzpatrick, Ecuador, College of Natural Science
• David McFarlane, Mexico and Italy, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Phanikumar Mantha, India, College of Engineering
• Robert Pennock, India, Lyman Briggs College
• Thomas Voice, India, College of Engineering

The Fulbright Program has long been an integral part of MSU’s international engagement. MSU has produced Fulbright Scholars every year since 1950.  

“Spartans are committed to addressing issues that impact people and places around the world,” said Titus Awokuse, vice provost and dean for International Studies and Programs.  

“In addition to helping advance important research discoveries, students and scholars also engage in activities that help transform lives in their host communities. The Fulbright Program provides access to invaluable cross-cultural experiences that can shape their future careers.” 

The Fulbright Scholar competition for the 2025-26 academic year opened Feb. 18. The next Fulbright Student Program cycle for students and recent graduates opens April 1, 2025. For more information about MSU’s Fulbright programs, and dates of upcoming information sessions, contact Joy Campbell. Read Campbell’s Staff voice: Guiding students through the Fulbright process