University Again Named Top Producer of Fulbright Students

REDLANDS >> Three researchers from the University of Redlands traveled the globe in 2015 to conduct medical research and anthropological study. These three exemplary students, now alumnae, are the most recent of 20 total Fulbright Student awardees at Redlands, which this week was designated as a “Top Producer of Fulbright Students” for the 2015-16 year. This is the third national recognition for Redlands as a top-producing master’s institution, which this year is one of only 25 master’s institutions to share the prestigious designation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education Fulbright ranking. “We are pleased to learn that our students continue to achieve recognition for their outstanding academic accomplishments as Fulbright Students,” said University Provost Kathy Ogren. Professor Jack Osborn, who mentors Fulbright candidates, attributes the University’s success in the program to a combination of student quality and department support. “Our faculty have made a commitment to the program, encouraging their best and brightest to apply and hoping for them the incredible opportunity to go out into the global community and conduct research or service.” The University’s 20 Fulbright Students have traveled to Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Guatemala, Norway, Spain, Japan, Morocco, and Taiwan—10 to conduct research and the other 10 to teach. Their majors include global business, international studies, languages, biology, communicative disorders and music. “One of the University’s missions is academic excellence. Clearly the Fulbright program reflects that. It is highly competitive—our students compete with individuals from Ivy League schools and every liberal arts college in the United States,” Osborn said. The three Redlands recipients of 2015 Fulbright awards—considered the highest and most competitive awards for overseas research or teaching from the federal government—are: Mounika Parimi ‘14, double major, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology, and a bachelor’s degree in music. Scholar to Technische Universitat Dreseden, Germany, Research Department of Regenerative Therapies, focused on issues within Type 1 diabetes. Amber Stansbury ‘15, bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders. Scholar to Universidad Autonoma De Queretaro, Mexico, for the project of Morphosyntactic and Neurophysiological Markers, investigating specific language impairment and identifying linguistic markers. Stefani Spence ‘15, double major earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Scholar to Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigacion para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Mexico, for research on the indigenous Chinantec community of San Pedro Tlatepusco and the impact of the bracken fern on their lives and agriculture.