Eight Students Named Semi-Finalists in Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship Program

Eight U of A undergraduate and graduate students have been chosen as semi-finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship Program at the United States level.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers two primary awards: the English Teaching Assistantship, which allows students to work as assistants to English teachers across the globe, and the Study/Research Award, which allows students to pursue graduate study or independent research at international institutions.

Before being considered at the international country level, applicants must first be selected by the U.S. committee. 

“Congratulations go to these eight accomplished students. To be selected at this level is an amazing accomplishment,” said Terry Martin, provost and executive vice chancellor of academic affairs. “We wish them well as they move forward in the next step in the process. International study and teaching can be a life-changing experience.” 

If selected as finalists at the country level, the students’ awards will begin in the fall of 2025 and last for an academic year. The countries these semi-finalists are applying to include the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Mozambique and Spain. 

The eight semi-finalists include: 

• Mia Bingaman – senior, honors psychology – English Teaching Assistant 
• Abigail Bordelon – senior, honors public health and Spanish – English Teaching Assistant
• Elizabeth Burnside – senior, elementary education – English Teaching Assistant 
• Eleanor Nations – senior, honors English, English Teaching Assistant 
• Isabella Sotlar – senior, honors English – Study/Research, Fulbright/Fondazione Falcone-NIAF Award to Promote the Rule of Law 
• Mariana Spotorno da Silva – senior, honors international business – English Teaching Assistant 
• Nina Thomas – senior, honors international and global studies, Latin American and Latino studies, and Spanish – English Teaching Assistant 
• Reina Watanabe – senior, honors environmental, soil and water science and Spanish – English Teaching Assistant 

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. 

The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments, host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in over 160 countries worldwide.  

More that 90 U of A students and alumni have received Fulbright U.S. Student Awards in countries around the world, including Belgium, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Mexico and South Korea.  

The 2026-27 competition cycle will open in April. U of A students who are interested in applying for the Fulbright Scholarship should contact Emily Voight, Fulbright Program adviser for the U of A, in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, at awards@uark.edu or 479-575-8673. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.