University Again Named Fulbright HSI Leader

For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State has recognized Montclair State University for its commitment to providing life-changing educational opportunities.   

The Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it has named the University a 2022 Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader, one of only 43 colleges and universities in the country to earn the federal designation. 

The honor marks the second-straight year Montclair has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader. The University was one of 35 schools to be named an inaugural Fulbright HSI Leader in 2021. 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception more than 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas and contributing to finding solutions to complex international challenges.

Since 2008, it has provided eight Montclair students and 86 international Fulbright students who studied at Montclair, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, with the opportunity to engage in high-quality educational opportunities abroad.

Founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the program bestows two types of awards. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program Study/Research Award grants scholarships to U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals, scientists and artists selected through a national, merit-based competition for study and research abroad. Awarded solely to students, the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places U.S. students, primarily new college graduates, as English teaching assistants in schools or universities overseas, where they increase foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States.

Montclair was chosen as a Fulbright HSI Leader for its noteworthy level of engagement with the Fulbright Program and for its success in helping students and faculty benefit from a variety of on-campus Fulbright initiatives, including the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Fulbright Gateway Program, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program, the Fulbright Development Initiative, the Fulbright Features at Montclair State newsletter, and Fulbright Association and alumni events.

Designated an HSI in 2016, Montclair has created an inclusive environment to support the success of all Hispanic students, faculty and staff through its Office of Hispanic Initiatives. Approximately 41% of the University’s record-breaking incoming class for the fall 2022 semester and 29% of the total undergraduate student body identifies as Hispanic, reflecting the rich diversity of New Jersey and Montclair’s surrounding area.

“Montclair State University is committed to providing educational opportunities that truly change the trajectory of students’ lives,” says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “We are honored to be recognized by the Department of State for our engagement with this flagship initiative, and we look forward to creating even more experiential learning opportunities for students from all corners of the world.”

For more information on Montclair’s International Initiatives, visit montclair.edu/international-academic-initiatives.