After producing 12 Fulbright scholars in the 2019-20 academic year, Dickinson College has been recognized again as a Top Producer for Fulbright Students.  

Fulbright Program Advisors (FPAs) help students at the college with the extensive application process, lasting from April to October. Four faculty/staff members serve as FPAs: Associate Professor of Russian Alyssa DeBlasio, Executive Director for the Office of Equity & Inclusivity and the Director for the Women’s & Gender Resource Center Donna Bickford, Associate Professor of Educational Studies Liz Lewis, Associate Professor of Sociology Amy Steinbugler and College Dean Amity Fox ’04. 

Fox discussed the competitiveness of the program and the application review stages between the U.S. and the applicant’s country of choice. FPAs help applicants develop the necessary skills and qualities that reviewers look for during the process. “Dickinson has designed an intensive support structure for applicants that helps them hone skills that are useful not only for the application process, but also for their transition to post-college life,” Fox said. These skills include talking about their Dickinson College experiences along with envisioning plans for their futures.  

The Fulbright program provides students with opportunities of cultural exchange in various countries. Example of program tracks for students include English Teaching Assistants or research/continued study opportunities. According to Fox, Dickinson College students are prepared for Fulbright opportunities because of the focus on global education experience. “Our faculty and staff have long understood that a Dickinson education empowers students to think broadly about social problems and to see themselves as global citizens,” Fox said and explained that recent Fulbright success has led to pride for the college.  

The college produced a record number of Fulbright scholars last year, and these students experienced different opportunities with the program. Alden Mohacsi ’19, a recipient of the 2019-20 Fulbright award, is currently living in Zatec, Czech Republic and is teaching performing arts studies at local schools. He said that the program has been the “greatest experience.” Mohacsi described his most memorable experience of the program where he helped with a local Christmas market event. “I had the chance to collaborate with my students to play live music for the event,” he said.  

As of print time, there are currently seven semi-finalists from Dickinson College for the 2020-21 award cycle, according to the Dickinson College website. “We are proud of students’ success with this and other prestigious national awards,” Fox said on behalf of the FPAs. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs honors colleges with this recognition because they, “[H]ighlight the Fulbright Program’s strong institutional diversity and impact on American communities across the United States,” according to the U.S. Department of State website. 44 colleges, including Dickinson College, received this recognition under the categorization of “Baccalaureate Institutions.” Approximately 200 undergraduate, master’s and doctorate institutions received the recognition. 

According to an article published on the Dickinson College website, the college has received this award eight times since 2009 and has produced 36 Fulbright recipients.