Below is a listing of University of Iowa students and alumni who have been awarded the Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant in recent years.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to increase understanding between people of the United States and other countries by providing participants opportunities to study, teach, conduct research, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

All UI students, including undergraduate, graduate, professional students, and university alumni apply through Fulbright Program Advisor Karen Wachsmuth in International Programs, karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1436. Learn more about applying for the Fulbright.

Types of awards

  • ETA = The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant programs place grantees in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction and to provide a native speaker presence in the classrooms
  • Study/Research = The Fulbright Study/Research grant is the traditional award opportunity where a candidate designs a proposal for a specific country.

Awarded in 2023

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Sam Boucher La Habra, CA PhD history Study/Research Grant Paraguay
Olivia Dunn Waverly, IA MFA linguistics ETA Morocco
Eleanor Hildebrandt Des Moines, IA BA journalism and moss communications
BS global health studies
ETA Germany
Amna Haider Omaha, NE BA international studies and philosophy ETA Turkey
Charlotte Hilker Des Moines, IA MA speech language pathology ETA Kosovo
Kyler Johnson West Des Moines, IA BA English and creative writing ETA Brazil
Katherine Kustes Bettendorf, IA BA social work Community-Based Combined Award Austria
Rebecca Lara West Liberty, IA BS English and creative writing ETA Spain
Ashley Lie-Atjam Bettendorf, IA BS neuroscience Graduate Study Fulbright/Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Award Netherlands
Laura McDowell Kalona, IA BA linguistics and Spanish ETA Brazil

Guilherme Pinho

LeClaire, IA BA political science and German ETA Germany
Lee Sailor Rolfe, IA BA political science ETA Kosovo
Lizzie Shockley Cedar Falls, IA BA anthropology and Spanish ETA Mexico
Dawn Thomas Chicago, IL MAT secondary English education ETA Israel

Awarded in 2022

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Tartil Ali Des Moines, IA MA clinical anatomy Study/Research Award in Public Health Morocco
Adam Beaser New York, NY MFA fiction Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Hungary
Greta Becker Dubuque, IA MD Study/Research Award in Public Health Vietnam
Brittany Borghi Zelienople, PA MFA nonfiction writing Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Italy
Andrea Childs North Liberty, IA BA English and English education ETA Bulgaria
Anna Correa Clive, IA MPH community and behavior health Study/Research Award in Public Health India
Isabelle Davis LeClaire, IA BA international studies ETA Turkey
Sallie Fullerton Philadelphia, PA MFA poetry Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Canada
Hannah Haack Williamsburg, IA BA history ETA Germany
Holly Harris Waterloo, IA BA international studies and Portuguese ETA Brazil

Mastura Ibnat

West Des Moines, IA BA English and international studies ETA Taiwan
Michaeljulius Idani Atlanta, GA MFA fiction Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Sierra Leone
Megan Lederman Bettendorf, IA BA English and creative writing ETA Vietnam
Alia Mnayer Waterloo, IA BA English and creative writing ETA Morocco
Sarah Nunez Iowa City, IA BA social work ETA Mexico
Tessa Reed Spirit Lake, IA BA global studies and Spanish ETA Spain
McKenzie Toma Detroit, MI MFA creative writing Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Romania

Awarded in 2021

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Julia Conrad Brooklyn, NY MFA nonfiction/MFA in literary translation Arts/Creative Writing Award Italy
Sarah Day Vermillion, South Dakota MA rehabilitation and counselor education ETA Montenegro
Marisol Contreras San Diego, CA Ph.D. student in Chemical Engineering Study/Research Award in Engineering Germany
Dilon Gonçalves Chicago, IL

BA journalism & mass communication

ETA Estonia
Megan Lenss Cedar Rapids, IA

BS geoscience

Study/Research Award in Oceanography Norway
Katarina Newcamp Cedar Rapids, IA BA political science ETA Kosovo
Kathleen Paltrineri Cedar Rapids, IA MFA literary translation Study/Research Award in Translation Norway
Sarah Schlosser North Canton, OH MFA book studies Study/Research Award in Book Arts India
Brant Walker Dubuque, IA BS mathematics, economics Study/Research Award in Economics Germany

Awarded in 2020

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Margot Allscheid Oak Park, IL BA elementary education ETA Spain
Eric Baron Bucks County, PA MFA creative writing Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Germany
Caroline Baum Ames, IA BA international relations and economics ETA Morocco
Cassandra Bertolini Green Bay, Wisconsin BA German and BA in English and creative writing ETA Germany
Caroline Brown Iowa City, Iowa BS biochemistry and BA in Spanish ETA Spain
Rajnesh Chakrapani Cerritos, California MFA creative writing Study/Research Award in Translation Romania
Sydney DeBoer Iowa City, IA BA history and BA in secondary social studies education ETA Czech Republic
Ajla Dizdarevic Waterloo, IA BA English and creative writing ETA Croatia
Lucas Fagre Waverly, Iowa BS global health, BA in anthropology Study/Research Award in Public Health Bulgaria/Romania
Maggie Fischer White Bear Lake, MN BA German and history ETA Germany
Alyssa Gersony Rutland, Vermont MFA interdisciplinary studies Study/Research Arts Award in Dance Latvia
Jackson Guilford Indianola, IA BS political science ETA Serbia
Neha Haque LeClaire, IA BA English and creative writing ETA Mexico
Cameron Keomanivong Mt. Pleasant, IA BS in neuroscience, public health certificate ETA Laos
Maya Mahajan Iowa City, IA, and Los Altos, CA BA political science, philosophy, and ethics & public policy ETA Spain
Zainab Mousa-Makky Iowa City, IA BA international relations and ethics and public policy ETA Morocco
Margaret Mungai Des Moines, Iowa BS neurobiology Study/Research Award in Biology Spain
Leon Pan Concord, CA MFA creative writing Study/Research Award in Creative Writing China
Mark Schoen Cedar Rapids, IA BS economics and BA studio art Study/Research Award in Economics Indonesia
Isabella Senno Evanston, IL BS anthropology, BA in psychology ETA Spain
Senead Short Iowa City, IA BA international studies ETA Taiwan
Tess Van Den Hurk-Moran Emmetsburg, Iowa BA English ETA Argentina
Jorrell Watkins Richmond, VA MFA creative writing (poetry) Study/Research Arts Award in Creative Writing Japan

 

Awarded in 2019

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Brittany Anderson Sparta, Wisconsin PhD candidate, anthropology Study/Research Award in Anthropology Sierra Leone
Alex Bare Walcott, Iowa BA international relations, minors in Spanish, Arabic ETA Colombia
Maria Bascom Dubuque, Iowa BA Russian ETA Russia
Claire Carmichael Oskaloosa, Iowa BS biology Study/Research Award in Public Health Brazil
Jeffrey Clark Lorton, Virginia BA English, history ETA South Korea
Sylvia Dean Iowa City, Iowa BA linguistics, TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) ETA Taiwan
Alexa Frank Irvington, New York MFA creative writing Study/Research Award in Creative Writing Japan
Nicholas Grandstaff Emmetsburg, Iowa BBA economics, minor in mathematics Study/Research Netherlands
Charles Green Los Angeles, California MFA playwriting Study/Research Award in Creative Writing/Playwriting Germany
Nicole Hehr Mason City, Iowa BA ancient civilization ETA Italy
Dani Lipman West Des Moines, Iowa BS physics, astronomy Study/Research Award in Education China
Catherine Liu Tallahassee, Florida MFA book arts Study/Research Award in Design/Bookmaking China
Jenna McCoy Estherville, Iowa BA biology, environmental science, minor in Spanish ETA Spain
Isabella Myers Iowa City, Iowa MFA book arts Study/Research Award in Bookmaking/Design Cambodia
Jill Oberhart Bettendorf, Iowa BA music, psychology ETA Brazil
Erik Ovrom Iowa City, Iowa BA interdepartmental studies (health science track), minor in Spanish ETA Mexico
Michael Parisi Mercado Guayama, Puerto Rico PhD candidate pharmacy, MPH candidate Study/Research Award in Public Health Romania
Jennifer Shyue Brooklyn, New York MFA literary translation Study/Research Award in Translation Peru
Lydia Sinclair Urbandale, Iowa BA Spanish, secondary Spanish teaching license, ESL endorsement ETA Spain

Awarded in 2018

Name Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Tom Bowman Des Moines, Iowa BS international relations (transnational issues track), minors in political science, international studies, Spanish ETA Bulgaria
Grace Coleman Madison, Wisconsin BA international studies, music ETA Czech Republic
Emma Genesen Rancho Mirage, California BA theatre arts, health science, interdepartmental studies, creative writing certificate ETA Taiwan
Rita Guzmán Decorah, Iowa BBA marketing, minor in Portuguese, international business certificate ETA Portugal
Anya Kim Indianola, Iowa BS biology (neurobiology track), BA Spanish, certificate in clinical and translational science Study/Research Award in Medical Sciences Spain
Rachel Maggi Kohler, Wisconsin BA international studies (South Asian and East Asian studies), minor in global health studies, sustainability certificate Study/Research Award in Public Health India
Brian Miner Davenport, Iowa BA history (honors thesis on Indonesia in 1965-1966) ETA Indonesia
Barbara Chidinma Okeke Washington, D.C. PhD human toxicology Study/Research Award in Public Health Romania
Christopher Orabutt Lake Zurich, Illinois BA secondary history education ETA South Korea
Lucy Patterson Cincinnati, Ohio BA French, minor German, international business certificate ETA Germany
Martin Wolgen Orange City, Iowa BA history Study/Research Award in theology & religion Netherlands

Awarded in 2017

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Benjamin Bush Lincoln, NE MFA creative writing Study/Research Bulgaria
Andrew Calvert Houston, TX MFA creative writing Study/Research Philippines
Kaché Claytor Des Moines, IA BA journalism ETA Colombia
Victor Diaz Sioux City, IA BA linguistics, Spanish ETA Mexico
Ian Dunshee Des Moines, IA BA anthropology, French Study/Research Martinique
Henry Hartzler Iowa City, IA BA elementary education ETA Spain
Alexis Koch Solon, IA BS human physiology ETA Spain
Samantha Korns St. Louis, MO BA international studies ETA Russia
Jasmine Mangrum Chicago, IL PhD candidate pharmacy, MPH candidate Study/Research Romania
Nicholas McCarty Geneva, IL BS biochemistry Study/Research United Kingdom
Lisa Miles Portsmouth, NH MFA book arts Study/Research Indonesia
Hodna Nuernberg Iowa City, IA MA French, MFA literary translation ETA Morocco
Kelsey O'Donnell Sergeant Bluff, IA BA international studies, anthropology ETA Taiwan
Scott Sulzener New Philadelphia, OH PhD history Study/Research Germany
Samantha Westphal Urbandale, IA BS human physiology ETA Argentina
Katherine Will Des Moines, IA BA Spanish ETA Argentina

Awarded in 2016

Name

Hometown Discipline Type of Award Destination
Noaquia Callahan Long Beach, CA PhD history Study/Research Germany
Lauren Darby Boston, MA MA social studies education ETA Germany
Gwendolyn Gillson Oklahoma City, OK PhD religious studies Study/Research Japan
Abigail Grilli Maywood, IL BA education ETA Greece
Destinee Gwee Iowa City, IA BA biochemistry, Chinese ETA Taiwan
Nathalie Halcrow Orange, CA BA English, French ETA Ivory Coast
Amanda Kloser Dubuque, IA MAT secondary education ETA Turkey
Addie Leak Lansing, MA MFA literary translation ETA Jordan
Sarah Lucas Saint Joseph, Missouri PhD musicology Study/Research Hungary
Ioana Manahilova Nova Zagora, Bulgaria BS human physiology ETA Bulgaria
Kristofer May Roaring Spring, PA BA Russian, BS biology ETA Russia
Nicholas Montgomery Greene, IA BA international studies ETA Brazil
Delaney Nolan Boston, MA MFA fiction writing Study/Research Bulgaria, Greece
Laura Wang Iowa City, IA BA English, Chinese ETA Taiwan
Megan Wood Greene, IA BA international studies ETA Brazil

Awarded in 2015

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Brett Burk

Oskaloosa, IA

BA linguistics

ETA

Taiwan

Douglas Baker

Fort Dodge, IA

BA Japanese, music

Study/Research

Japan

Julia Cartwright

Powell, OH

BA global health

Study/Research

India

Daniel Goering

Agency, IA

PhD human resources management

Study/Research

Japan

Quinn Hejlik

Omaha, NE

BA history, international studies

ETA

Russia

Clare Jones

New Orleans, LA

MFA creative writing

Study/Research

New Zealand

Julia Julstrom-Agoyo

Chicago, IL

BA international studies, political science, Spanish

ETA

Malaysia

Sarah Mayer

Johnston, IA

BA Spanish, biochemistry, pre-medicine

ETA

Colombia

Acacia Roberts

Iowa City, IA

BA French, Arabic, and linguistics

ETA

Morocco

Steph Rue

Cleveland, OH

MA design

Study/Research

South Korea

Beatrice Smigasiewicz

Gurnee, IL

MFA literary translation, nonfiction writing

Study/Research

Poland

Gloria Wenman

Oxford, IA

MS urban and regional planning

ETA

Mongolia

Audrey Williams

West Des Moines, IA

BA political science and French

Study/Research

Turkey


Awarded in 2014

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Sophie Amado

Chicago, IL

BA English, Spanish

ETA

Spain

Kathleen Burke

Spirit Lake, IA

BA international studies, global health

ETA

Brazil

Nicholas Hallman

Des Moines, IA

BA international studies, history, French

ETA

Turkey

Benjamin Mauk

Laurel, MD

Iowa Writers’ Workshop

Study/Research

Germany

Stephanie Muller

Denver, CO

BA theater arts, history

ETA

Mongolia

Patrick Reed

Iowa City, IA

MFA papermaking, bookbinding

Study/Research

Germany

Katherine Ryken

Iowa City, IA

MD candidate

Study/Research

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Megan Starrett

Rock Rapids, IA

DMA horn performance

Study/Research

Hungary

Awarded in 2013

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Rebecca McCray

Iowa City, IA

BA English

Study/Research

Slovenia

Margaret Ross

New York City, NY

MFA poetry

Study/Research

China

Briana Smith

Fridley, MN

PhD history

Study/Research

Germany

Awarded in 2012

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Lynne Ann Larsen

Marietta, PA

PhD, art, art history

Study/Research

Benin

Andrea Rosenberg

Durham, NC

MFA comparative literature, translation

Study/Research

Argentina

Sean Tolentino

Redondo Beach, CA

PhD computer science

Study/Research

South Africa

Awarded in 2011

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Luke Juran

Dyersville, IA

Ph.D., Geography

Study/Research

India

Andrew Saito

San Francisco, CA

M.F.A., Creative Writing

Study/Research

Papua New Guinea

Sangeeta Tandon

Bettendorf, IA

PharmD

Study/Research

Togo

Sarah Viren

Tampa, FL

MFA, Creative Writing

ETA

Colombia


Awarded in 2010

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Edward Gauvin

Bridgewater, NJ

MFA creative writing

Study/Research

Belgium

Marisa P. Handler

San Francisco, CA

MFA creative writing

Study/Research

India

Hanvey Hsiung

San Jose CA

MFA

Study/Research

Belgium

Sarita Patnaik

Denison, IA

BA French, international studies

Study/Research

Morocco

Nicole Pietrantoni

Lisle, IL

MFA printmaking

Study/Research

Iceland

Lauren K. Reynolds

Ames, IA

BA international studies, Spanish

ETA

Turkey

Katherine J. L. Thorpe

Seattle, WA

MFA poetry

Study/Research

Germany

Jenny J. Zhang

Glen Cove, NY

MFA creative writing

ETA

France

Awarded in 2009

Name

Hometown

Discipline

Type of Award

Destination

Andrew Carey

Farragut, IA

BA English, Spanish

ETA

Mexico

Geoffrey Hilsabeck

Elgin, IL

MFA poetry

ETA

Portugal

Sarah Lowen

Marion, IA

BA Japanese, linguistics

ETA

South Korea

Peter Pellegrino

Maple Grove, MN

BS biomedical engineering

Study/Research

Italy

Diana Thow

Berkeley, CA

MFA comparative literature

Study/Research

Italy