Eight George Washington University students and alumni have been named Fulbright grant recipients for 2025–26, and two more were named alternates who will be moved to finalist status if funds become available, according to Jacob Alan English, director of the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research (CUFR).
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship program for international academic exchange. The awards enable recipients to teach, study or conduct research abroad. This year, an equal number of GW students received awards for teaching assistantships and research.
The GW students and alumni selected as grant recipients include:
• Alice Chang, B.A. ’22, English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award, Taiwan;
• Alexander Erdman, B.A. ’21, English Teaching Assistant Award, Mongolia;
• Jacqueline Hackett, B.A. ’08, M.P.P. ’10, Fulbright-Fogarty, Thailand;
• Connor Perlin, currently a doctoral student in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Open Study/Research Award, Slovenia;
• Katherine Pope, B.S. ’25, English Teaching Assistant Award, Taiwan;
• Harry Shaheen, B.A. '23, Open Study/Research Award, Uzbekistan;
• Lucas Souza, B.A. '24, English Teaching Assistant Award, Mozambique; and
• Radha Varadan, B.S. ’24, Study/Research Award, Fulbright-Nehru Open Study/Research Award, India.
Alumni selected as alternates include:
• Cole Penz, B.A. ’23, Study/Research Award, Fulbright Global and International Studies Master's at Universidad de Salamanca, Spain; and
• Nina Udagawa, B.A. ’20, Study/Research Award, Master’s Degree Program: National Tsing Hua University Award in Political Economy, Taiwan.
The CUFR, located in Gelman Library, introduces students to undergraduate research opportunities and national awards and provides mentorship to candidates before, during and after the application process for the award(s) they seek. English offered his congratulations to this year’s Fulbright awardees and praised their courage, leadership and resilience. The rigorous application process involves multiple essay drafts in which applicants learn to condense years of experience and learning into a compelling narrative of two or three pages.
“It’s a testament to their hard work and perseverance,” English said. “The scholars selected this year reflect the breadth of talent among GW students and alumni. Alice and Katherine are the fifth and sixth GW students to receive the Fulbright ETA to teach English in Taiwan, while Alexander is our first student headed to Mongolia. Jacqueline becomes only the second GW recipient of the Fulbright-Fogarty Award in Public Health. Connor, a GW medical student, will conduct research in Slovenia, marking GW’s first Fulbright U.S. Student Award to the country. Harry is the first GW recipient of a Fulbright Award to Uzbekistan. Lucas is the second GW student to receive a Fulbright Award to Mozambique since 2018. Radha is the 10th GW student to receive a research grant in India.”
A combined total of 23 GW recipients have received grants in these countries, English added.
“Although their paths diverge, these emerging global leaders share a common goal, advancing mutual understanding through academic exchange,” English said. “They recognize that cultural exchange fuels diplomacy, fosters international collaboration and sparks innovation in their fields. They aren’t waiting for solutions; they are becoming part of the solution.”
Geneva Henry, dean of libraries and academic innovation and vice provost for information technology, said she was pleased by the news of the awards.
"This year’s Fulbright student and alumni awardees embody GW’s Revolutionary spirit, and the breadth of their awards reflects their commitment to research, teaching, and scholarship around the globe,” Henry said. “Through these prestigious awards, the 25-26 class will join the many GW Fulbright scholars before them in a worldwide community of fellows. We are so pleased to partner with them through the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research to make their application process a success.”
An initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program is among the largest and most diverse exchange programs in the world. Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 persons from all backgrounds have participated in the program. Fulbright scholars gain a deeper appreciation for their host country and its people as well as a broadened view of the world.
Their professional and personal networks expand as well, as they become teachers, researchers, doctors, lawyers, artists, entrepreneurs and policymakers who bring the world positive change.
“The Fulbright Program has always been rooted in the power of transformation,” English said. “It changes not only the lives of its scholars and the communities they serve, but also the systems and fields they engage with. It inspires others to act boldly and dream bigger.”
The 2026-27 competition for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is now open. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline of 5 p.m. EST Oct. 7, 2025.
