WASHINGTON — Today, Howard University was named as a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2023 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Each year, the ECA recognizes the strong engagement of select HBCUs with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Howard University has a robust track record of engaging in the Fulbright program with more than 165 U.S. Fulbright recipients and 40 international participants. 

 "Howard University proudly embraces its legacy as a beacon of excellence in education and we are honored to be recognized as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for 2023. This prestigious designation reaffirms our commitment to fostering global engagement and cultural exchange,” said Ben Vinson III, PhD, president of Howard University. “As the University's new leader, I am inspired to continue its mission of empowering diverse voices, breaking down barriers and shaping leaders who will drive positive change in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.” 

Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and promote Fulbright program opportunities on campus. The initiative recognizes HBCUs that host international Fulbright students and scholars who study, teach, or conduct research in the U.S. or have students, faculy, and staff carry out Fulbright awards abroad. The initiative also highlights the strength of HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars, and showcases their deep intellectual traditions and proud history to audiences abroad. The University has been featured in each of the four years of the intiative. 

The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department ahead of the White House Initiative on HBCUs’ National HBCU Week Conference, which runs from September 24-28.  

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield commended the HBCUs receiving the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader designation this year. “Diversity is one of America’s greatest strengths, and pairing the positive power of Fulbright with the academic excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities provides changemaking opportunities for students, scholars, and campus communities both here at home and abroad,” Satterfield said. 

On November 6, Fulbright will host a virtual workshop featuring representatives from Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders. The Fulbright HBCU Virtual Workshop will share best practices for leveraging Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, host international Fulbright students and scholars, and build global networks. This event is open to the public and is specifically designed for faculty, staff, and stakeholders at HBCUs. 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals, of all backgrounds and fields, the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbright participants exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. 

The Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect all aspects of the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. To achieve that goal, the program collaborates with external stakeholders, including the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, the American Association of Community Colleges, Mobility International, and Diversity Abroad, among many others. 

Learn more about the Fulbright Program at their website, including information about Fulbright’s efforts to further DEIA within the program and about the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative. 

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