USC Produces More Fulbright Students Than Any Other California University

USC has been named one of the country’s top producers of U.S. Fulbright students, with 22 Trojans receiving the prestigious grant during the 2022-23 award cycle.More Fulbright students are from USC this year than from any other school in California, including Stanford University, UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley, according to the Fulbright website.

Seventy-three Trojans applied in the 2022-23 cycle. Thirty-seven made the semifinals of the selection process before the final 22 were chosen.

Katie Ann Capra, USC’s manager of academic honors and fellowships, said the success rate of applicants is so high because of mentoring that is available for a full six months before the application deadline. This mentoring includes a writing workshop and a mock screening committee to provide feedback on a draft of the application.

“It really speaks to the strength of the Fulbright culture on the USC campus,” Capra said. “We have more than 50 faculty members who participate in the process, many of whom are Fulbrighters themselves. They volunteer their time to mentor applicants through the process whether they are current students or recent alumni.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, funded primarily by the U.S. Department of State, provides the opportunity for recipients to expand their perspective, connect with others and improve their understanding of different cultures and countries. Each year, more than 2,000 students, early-career professionals and artists are provided with a one-year grant to pursue individually designed study/research projects or to teach English around the world.

“Thanks to the visionary leadership of these institutions, administrators, and advisors, a new generation of Fulbrighters — changemakers, as I like to say — will catalyze lasting impact on their campus, in their communities, and around the world,” Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield said in a statement.

During the past 75 years, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 grants and scholarships to participants who are chosen for their academic merit and leadership qualities.

USC Fulbright students for 2022-23

Here is a list of USC’s Fulbright recipients for the 2022-23 award cycle:

Zackaria Ali graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy. Ali was awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain and wants to volunteer with organizations that will allow him to work with local LGBTQ+, immigrant and refugee communities. After Fulbright, Ali plans to pursue a career as an attorney focusing on human rights advocacy, with a concentration on children’s rights.

Blake Amann graduated May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Central European studies from USC Dornsife. Amann was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Uzbekistan, where he plans to utilize his Russian language skills and sports to connect with residents. After Fulbright, Amann plans to pursue a master’s degree in Russian and Eurasian studies, specializing in human rights and development in Central Asia.

Holden Anderson graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in applied and computational mathematics and minors in musical studies and economics from USC Dornsife. Anderson was awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain, where he plans to volunteer with STEM education organizations, facilitate board game events at a local community center and utilize his skills as a saxophonist to participate in the music scene. After Fulbright, Anderson plans to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics education and teach mathematics at the middle or high school level.

Olivia Benoit graduated in June 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in business from USC Dornsife. Benoit won the Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award in Finland, where she will complete her master’s degree program in Future Studies, which specializes in strategic foresight and creating a sustainable future. She will study the intersection of economic and ecological solutions to waste in production, distribution and consumption.

Lan Duong graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and Spanish and a minor in computer programming from USC Dornsife. Duong won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Argentina and plans to engage with the community through volunteering for a community garden. After Fulbright, Duong plans to work in immigrant advocacy and eventually become an immigration lawyer focusing on refugee resettlement in Los Angeles.

Claudia Ellis graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English (creative writing) and a minor in Communication Technology Practices and Platforms from USC Dornsife. Ellis also graduated in May 2022 with a Master of Arts in literary editing and publishing from USC Dornsife. In South Korea, she plans to create an after-school art program for high school students. After Fulbright, Ellis wants to work as a guidance counselor in underserved communities in Los Angeles to increase opportunities for first-generation American students to attend university.

Joshua Garbuio graduated in August 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in applied and computational mathematics and English (creative writing) from USC Dornsife. Garbuio was awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, where he wants to teach students about the diversity of the U.S., particularly through his Argentine American background. After Fulbright, Garbuio plans to join the U.S. Navy and serve as a naval aviator, intelligence officer or cryptographer.

William Groff graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in cinematic arts and critical studies and English (creative writing) from USC Dornsife. Groff won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Mexico, where he plans to immerse himself in the local music scene by going to shows and, if possible, volunteering at a local radio station. After Fulbright, Groff plans to pursue a graduate degree in journalism.

Jenny Ha graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and minors in Consumer Behavior and Justice, Voice and Advocacy from USC Dornsife. Ha won an English Teaching Assistant Award for secondary school to South Korea and is passionate about education equity, mentorship and college access. While in South Korea, Ha plans to support North Korean refugee students in applying for college. After Fulbright, Ha plans to pursue a Master of Arts in global communication and a doctorate in Sociology of Education.

Rebecca Homan graduated in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies from USC Dornsife. Homan won a Fulbright/IE University Award for an international MBA in Spain and would like to pursue this degree to learn fundamental business skills that will allow her to work with existing businesses to integrate humanistic values and ethics into their core. After earning her international MBA, Homan’s goal is to consult with a variety of organizations to help them design and implement socially responsible business practices.

Emily Jin graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations (global business) and minors in Chinese for the Professions and environmental studies from USC Dornsife. Jin won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan and plans to incorporate aspects of social emotional learning and environmentalism and sustainability into Taiwanese classrooms. After Fulbright, Jin plans to become an education consultant to help create systemic change in U.S. education.

Justin Kawaguchi graduated from USC in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in global health and a minor in public relations from USC Price and with a Master of Health Administration from the Keck School of Medicine of USC in May 2022. Kawaguchi won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan and plans to create lunch-and-learn programs to engage in meaningful dialogue over combined Western and Taiwanese meals. After Fulbright, Kawaguchi plans to develop local public health programs and to eventually become a leader in global health policy. He hopes to work on an international scale with organizations like the World Health Organization.

Austin Kellogg graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering (cellular/molecular engineering) from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Kellogg won an open study/research award to Germany and will be conducting research on the effects of using micropatterning to organize tissue structure on lung-on-a-chip systems. While in Germany, Kellogg plans to attend biomedical engineering conferences, attend the Queer Film Festival in Munich and participate in a queer choir. After Fulbright, Kellogg hopes to conduct research and pursue a doctorate.

Chandler Lawn graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in music industry and a minor in Spanish from the USC Thornton School of Music. Lawn won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain and plans to offer free songwriting classes while there. After Fulbright, Lawn plans to attend law school and earn her law degree, focusing on intellectual property law and global arts policy.

Samantha Lee graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen and Television from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in history from USC Dornsife. Lee won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam. After Fulbright, Lee plans to integrate her experiences and the stories of the people she meets into screenplays and storytelling.

Ellen Minkin graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in global health and a minor in Resistance to Genocide from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Minkin won an open study/research award to the Netherlands, where she will be researching the effectiveness of primary school sexual education. While in the Netherlands, Minkin plans to volunteer with organizations working on sexual violence prevention and attend weekly shabbats. After Fulbright, she plans to pursue a career in medicine and public health, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and human rights.

Tommy Nguyen graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and minors in international relations, philosophy and religion from USC Dornsife. Nguyen won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Vietnam and plans to form a photography club and use photography as a medium for storytelling. After Fulbright, Nguyen plans to attend graduate school in law and/or teaching.

Frances Nowlen graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and a minor in songwriting from USC Dornsife. Nowlen won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain and plans to create an after-school club for learning and playing music, with an emphasis on singing. After Fulbright, Nowlen plans to work in health care as an audiology specialist and continue teaching language acquisition with the hard-of-hearing community.

Natalia Parraz graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change from USC Dornsife. Parraz won a Binational Internship Program Award to Mexico and plans to join student organizations and volunteer at nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations that focus on supporting children and young women facing inequality. After Fulbright, Parraz plans to return to the U.S. and advance her studies with a law degree. With her degree, she wants to continue to advocate for social change, improve foreign relations and stand against injustices in her community.

Jackson Rasmussen graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and minors in cinematic arts and sports media industries from the USC Marshall School of Business. Rasmussen won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan and plans to enroll in Mandarin and Taiwanese language classes and to introduce international films on his ed-tech platform Screen360.tv. After Fulbright, Rasmussen plans to apply to a joint MBA/law degree program as well as publish books about food business and the restaurant industry.

Mia Speier graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and a minor in law and public policy from USC Dornsife and a Master of Arts in public diplomacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Speier won an English Teaching Assistant Award to Poland and plans to work with Ukrainian refugees. After Fulbright, Speier plans to work in an Eastern European newsroom and eventually enter public service in the U.S. through the State Department’s Bureau of European/Eurasian Affairs to work on media freedom and information integrity issues.

Kristin Wong graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in media arts and practice from the School of Cinematic Arts. Wong won an English Teaching Assistant Award for secondary school to South Korea and plans to create an after-school program to watch and discuss film and television shows, incorporating mental health and cross-cultural dialogue. After Fulbright, Wong will be a high school English teacher in New York through Teach for America. She also plans to pursue her master’s degree in teaching through the Relay Graduate School of Education.