GAMBIER — Kenyon has been recognized as a top producer for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 19th time in the past 21 years.
The program’s announcement ranks the college among the top 18 baccalaureate institutions nationally. It confirms its place as a leader among liberal arts institutions in developing international scholars.
Eight Kenyon students were selected for the prestigious Fulbright program for the 2025-26 academic year. More than 70 Kenyon students in the past decade have accepted Fulbrights, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.
“We should all take a great deal of pride in two decades of sustained success of Kenyon students in winning support from the Fulbright program,” Provost Jeff Bowman said. “This achievement reflects both the high caliber of our students’ academic work and the global range of their curiosity. I am confident they will do a wonderful job of representing the United States overseas.”
One of Kenyon’s current Fulbright scholars is Keiko Behrens, a member of the Class of 2025. She teaches English to first-year students at Silk Road International University for Tourism and Hospitality in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Jackelyn Gali Samandas, a double major in psychology and Russian language and culture from the Class of 2025, teaches English in Kazakhstan. In addition to her classroom work, she runs speaking clubs for students and volunteers at a center that supports autistic children.
Guagui Vallejos, a member of the Class of 2025 who double-majored in international studies and Spanish, teaches English at a vocational school serving nontraditional students in Ourense, Spain. Her experience with the scenery, food, and especially the people, has been overwhelmingly positive.
The importance of global connections
A letter to Kenyon President Julie Kornfeld announcing the news highlighted the importance and broad impact of promoting global connections through the Fulbright program.
“Together, by creating strategic and life-changing opportunities for America’s extraordinary students and scholars, we are strengthening American leadership in the world,” said Jason Czyz, president and chief executive officer of the Institute of International Education, which administers the program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The Fulbright program was established in 1946. 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.
Overall, Fulbright alumni achieve distinction and are recognized as leaders in government, business, science, technology, research, education, and the arts. Alumni include 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 83 MacArthur Fellows.