Students, faculty and alumni impact the world through knowledge sharing and cross-cultural collaboration
by Lucy Morrison, Director, University Honors Program; Director, Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships; and Professor of English, University of Nebraska at Omaha
UNO is proud to be Omaha’s Metropolitan University, educating people of the world. It is also proud to have students and scholars engaged in exploring the world through the Fulbright program, the United States’ largest cultural exchange program.
Initiated in 1946 by Senator J. William Fulbright, the program offers students, faculty and creative individuals opportunities to share their research and teaching talents in over 135 countries. International scholars and students can also come to the U.S. to contribute their skills. UNO has celebrated such efforts since the 1950s as Fulbright recipients have continued to share their knowledge and insights gained overseas with our Mavericks here in Omaha.
The program’s influence resonates deeply within UNO’s academic community. Cathy Co, Ph.D. was a Fulbrighter in Vietnam 2014-15. Co was primarily there to teach but gained much more from the international experience.
“A serendipitous encounter with four groups of women from Cao Bang province proved to be the most professionally and personally rewarding,” said Co.
A College of Business Administration professor, Dr. Co returned to UNO and implemented a new multi-disciplinary experiential learning course on microenterprise development, in which students learn about these international business efforts.
Last year, Dr. Co was a Fulbright specialist at International School—Thai Nguyen University, and she expects more opportunities for UNO student learning to develop from that experience in the coming years. Her journey exemplifies how Fulbright not only enriches individuals but also fosters innovative learning opportunities for future Mavericks.
Similarly, Dr. Deepak Khazanchi from UNO’s College of Information Science & Technology has left a global imprint as a Fulbright specialist in Norway (2014), Japan (2023), and a professor in Austria (2022). His commitment to international collaboration underscores UNO’s dedication to globalizing education and research.
“As a global citizen, I have always been inspired by and love to experience other cultures. This also has allowed me to collaborate with researchers from around the world in my discipline and research questions that are uniquely situated,” said Khazanchi.
He says Fulbright puts UNO’s programs and research on global maps.
“Fulbright Scholars can be key to internationalizing their campuses upon return because they can foster greater peer and student interest in global engagement and also encourage their colleagues to get the same experiences,” said Khazanchi.
UNO students have a long track record of achieving Fulbright recognition as well, with costs for their year abroad borne by the Fulbright program. Tyler Ayres, a recent graduate with a master’s in critical and creative thinking, eagerly anticipates his upcoming role teaching English in Taiwan. For Ayres, Fulbright represents more than language immersion – it’s a gateway to embracing Taiwan’s vibrant culture and educational landscape.
“I applied to the Fulbright Program mainly to grow as an educator and Mandarin speaker, though I’m also drawn to Taiwan’s food culture, miles of coastline, political legacy, night markets, vibrant democracy, colorful history, lack of snow and so many other aspects,” said Ayres.
Courtney Brink, who graduated in May 2024 with a degree in Early Childhood Inclusive Education and a minor in German, has already spent significant time in classrooms. Her experience at UNO, enriched by the Honors Program and Teacher Scholars Academy, has prepared her to make a meaningful impact in German classrooms.
Annabelle Abisset, who earned undergraduate degrees in international studies and Spanish before completing her master’s in public administration at UNO in 2021, now serves as Partnerships Coordinator at Kiewit Luminarium. She credits her Fulbright experience in Argentina for shaping her professional journey.
“The Fulbright program, with its emphasis on side projects and community involvement, aligned perfectly with my interests and expertise, making it an ideal opportunity,” said Abisset.
The violin player said the most unexpected benefit was how deeply she connected with her community through music.
“While the musical experiences were enriching, the most enduring and memorable aspects were inviting students and new friends to concerts as well as the deeper friendships I formed with fellow musicians; those continue to this day,” said Abisset.
She hopes other students feel inspired through the Fulbright program to bring their talents and passions to corners of the world they never imagined.
With her UNO undergraduate degree in international studies along with her European master’s degree in tourism management, Goodricher Amber Johnson will be teaching humanities in Baia Mare, Romania this fall. There, she will also organize a creative tourism project with a local museum as part of her Fulbright grant.
“My passion for global exposure was further inspired by other UNO students,” said Johnson. “My heart for the world and for experiencing the gifts and diversity it can bring us was fostered at UNO and uplifted.”
Such passion is typical of Mavericks chosen and recognized nationally for their achievements and the gifts they share globally through Fulbright efforts. They venture out into a wide world and make it better by bringing pieces of it back to Omaha.
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Interested in participating in the Fulbright Scholars program? Connect with UNO’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships to learn more.
