University of Houston named Fulbright HSI leader for fourth consecutive year

The University of Houston (UH) has been recognized as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year it has received this designation from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. UH is one of 51 colleges and universities to earn this title, which was announced during the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in Aurora, Colorado.

UH continues to support students' aspirations to study abroad, having achieved a record 14 Student Fulbrights this year. The university aims to build on this momentum in 2025. Diane Z. Chase, UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, expressed pride in the recognition: "It is an honor to again be named a Fulbright HSI Leader... This designation validates what we do each day."

Among recent recipients is Javier Padron, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, who plans to travel to Brazil in 2025. He noted that the Fulbright award offers him an opportunity to engage in international research and cultural immersion.

Padron credited UH's Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards (OURMA) for their assistance during his application process. "OURMA provided me with information sessions and one-on-one sessions to review my application documents," he said.

Ben Rayder, director of OURMA, highlighted the importance of Cougar Fulbrighters serving as ambassadors for UH and Houston: "We believe that UH students have incredible stories to tell about the diversity of our institution, city and country."

Ambassador Michael Pelletier (Retd.), executive director of UH's Institute for Global Engagement, emphasized the role Fulbrighters play at UH: "Fulbrighters are a valued and integral part of global engagement at UH in every way."

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has enabled over 400,000 individuals from various backgrounds to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. It is funded by the U.S. Government with additional support from participating governments and institutions worldwide.