Montclair State Named Fulbright HSI Leader

University is one of 35 in the nation to receive inaugural Department of State designation

Montclair, NJ (10/27/2021) — The U.S. Department of State has recognized Montclair State University for its commitment to providing life-changing educational opportunities.

The Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announced at today's Hispanic Association of College and Universities (HACU) Annual Conference that it has named the University an inaugural Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader, one of only 35 colleges and universities in the country to earn the federal designation.

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

Since 2008, it has provided eight Montclair students and 83 international Fulbright students, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the program bestows two types of awards. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program Study/Research Award grants scholarships to U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals, scientists and artists selected through a national, merit-based competition for study and research abroad. Awarded solely to students, The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places U.S. students, primarily new college graduates, as English teaching assistants in schools or universities overseas, where they increase foreign students' English language abilities and knowledge of the United States.

Montclair was chosen as a Fulbright HSI Leader for its noteworthy level of engagement with the Fulbright Program and for its success in helping students and faculty benefit from a variety of on-campus Fulbright initiatives, including the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Fulbright Gateway Program, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program, the Fulbright Development Initiative, the Fulbright Forum: An HSI Perspective, the Fulbright Features at Montclair State newsletter, and Fulbright Association and alumni events.

Designated an HSI in 2016, Montclair has created an inclusive environment to support the success of all Hispanic students, faculty and staff through its Office of Hispanic Initiatives. Approximately 30% of the University's record-breaking incoming class for the fall 2021 semester and 29% of the total undergraduate student body identifies as Hispanic, reflecting the rich diversity of New Jersey and Montclair's surrounding area.

"This designation highlights what makes Montclair an institution that is serving the public good," says Acting Provost Kimberly Hollister. "We are not only creating real-world educational experiences that change the course of students' lives, but we are doing so for diverse populations that are typically underrepresented. Montclair is proud to be one of the inaugural Fulbright HSI Leaders, and we look forward to continuing to provide these opportunities for students and faculty around the world."

For more information on Montclair's International Initiatives, visit montclair.edu/international-academic-initiatives.

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