Montclair State University Once Again Named Fulbright HSI Leader

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

The Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it has once again named the University a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2024, one of only 50 colleges and universities in the country to earn the federal designation.

Montclair has earned the designation each year since its inception in 2021. Last year, the University was one of only 46 institutions to receive the recognition.

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.

Founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the program bestows several types of awards. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants scholarships to U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals, scientists and artists selected through a national, merit-based competition for study, research, and English teaching abroad. Montclair has been especially active in the English Teaching Assistant Program, which 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.

Since 2008, the program has provided eight Montclair students, chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, with the opportunity to engage in these high-quality educational opportunities abroad. Montclair has also enrolled 90 international students who received the Fulbright Foreign Student award to study at Montclair, and 18 Montclair faculty have become finalists and been awarded with the Fulbright U.S. Scholar award.

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 U.S. Student Program, the U.S. Scholar Program, the Foreign Student Program, the Fulbright Gateway Program, the Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund, the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program, the Fulbright Development Initiative, the Fulbright Features at Montclair newsletter, and Fulbright Association and alumni events. Most recently, Montclair advised and interviewed a record-setting 32 applicants who “hit submit” for the 2025-26 U.S. Student Program.

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 45% of the University’s record-breaking incoming class for the fall 2024 semester and 36% 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 changing students’ lives by providing educational opportunities around the world,” says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “We are honored to receive this recognition for the fourth year in a row, and look forward to realizing all of the incredible possibilities for students that the Fulbright Program provides.”

I’m a ____, tell me more:

Prospective Student / Parent: Learn more about what it means to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or take the next step and apply to become a Red Hawk!

Journalist: Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview about this topic.