BCTC is a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars

Published on Feb 28, 2024

Lexington, KY – Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) is recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Bluegrass Community and Technical College for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions like BCTC value global connections and support members of their campus communities to pursue international opportunities.

Two scholars from Bluegrass Community and Technical College were selected for Fulbright awards for academic year 2023-24 completing projects in South Africa and France. Robert Chirwa received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in Computer and Information Technologies to South Africa for the 2023-2024 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. 

“The Fulbright program truly embodies the breadth and depth of our mission,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, BCTC President. These opportunities only enhance our learning and teaching experiences for both the students and faculty. BCTC transforms lives and the Fulbright Scholar program allows us to strengthen our connections to provide a better future for student success,” said Feeney. 

BCTC’s commitment to fostering engaging learning environments and creating opportunities for global experiences underscores our mission to empower individuals and communities on an international scale. Looking ahead, BCTC is dedicated to furthering its internationalization efforts by:

1. Strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new collaborations with current partner institutions in South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Kenya, and Germany.
2. Expanding study abroad opportunities and developing innovative programs to foster cross-cultural understanding for transfer and technical students.
3. Establishing joint programs and dual degree opportunities aligned with global workforce demands.
4. Hosting joint recruitment seminars to diversify our international student body and enhance global engagement on our campuses.
5. Amplifying international teaching and research opportunities for faculty and staff.

Bluegrass Community and Technical College has developed a Fulbright Scholar Leave Policy, offering eligible faculty and staff support to pursue international teaching and research projects ranging from salary supplements to access to benefits and resources abroad. The policy supports awarded faculty and staff the opportunity to focus on their research and teaching experience abroad while completing reasonable service efforts designed to align the project with the college’s global initiatives and strategic plan.

“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community. Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over,” said Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

Applicants to Fulbright at BCTC are supported by Erin Howard, Associate Dean of Global Learning. "Over the past two years, the BCTC Global Learning team has diligently worked to create and expand opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage in international education. I am delighted to offer my support to our faculty and staff in accessing the Fulbright programs. I hope that the success of the two individuals awarded this opportunity will encourage others to follow in their footsteps,” said Howard. To learn more about Fulbright opportunities, faculty and staff are encouraged to contact Erin Howard at erin.howard@kctcs.edu.  

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. 

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 41 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United State and the people of other countries.  

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/