Coe continues to be recognized as a top producer of U.S. Fulbright students
Once again, Coe College is included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2018-19 Fulbright students. Coe has been recognized on this prestigious list for five of the past seven years — positioning the college among the top 12 Fulbright-producing bachelor’s institutions in the nation.
As the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, the Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world.
Among the three schools in Iowa to receive this designation, Coe maintains the highest percentage of applicants receiving the award — giving Kohawks who apply the highest likelihood of earning a Fulbright. Even better, Coe is one of only six schools nationwide listed as both a 2018-19 Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Students and a Top 25 Best School for Internships, according to The Princeton Review — two rankings that set Coe College apart from other institutions.
“At a four-year university, I wouldn’t have had the one-on-one interaction with some of the professors that kept me on track to get the Fulbright. I couldn’t have done it without Coe,” 2018 Fulbright recipient Claire Tupper said.
“The Coe community is pleased to receive continuous national recognition for the college’s large number of Fulbright recipients,” Coe College President David McInally said. “The hard work and dedication of our bright scholars will result in life-changing experiences for the award winners and those they encounter during their Fulbright teaching apprenticeships. We are exceedingly proud of these recent Coe alumni and congratulate them for their achievements and contributions to humankind.”
Four Coe seniors were awarded international Fulbright teaching assignments for the 2018-2019 academic year.
- Claire Tupper ’18 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa — a biology, neuroscience and French alumna is teaching in Laos.
- Christine Obiesie ’18 of Lee's Summit, Missouri — a biology, molecular biology and neuroscience alumna is teaching in Poland.
- Lauren Winchester ’18 of Boulder, Colorado — a communication studies and German alumna is teaching in Germany.
- Annie Atkins ’18 of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota — an international relations and German alumna is teaching in Germany.
“Throughout the Fulbright process, I had a lot of help from professors, staff and faculty,” Atkins said.
Coe Fulbright applicants and recipients receive guidance from Professor Amber Shaw, who serves as the college's national fellowship advisor, as well as other faculty members. “It's been such a pleasure to work with these talented, service-oriented students as they apply for these prestigious fellowships,” Dr. Shaw said. “As cultural ambassadors for the Fulbright Program, Coe’s awardees are exemplifying the college’s mission by leading productive and satisfying lives across the globe."
“I believe Coe made me more adaptable. All of the opportunities I’ve had have led me to this moment in my life,” Obiesie said.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 390,000 participants the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 1,900 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English and conduct research abroad each year. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in over 140 countries throughout the world.
Coe College offers superb academics and exciting co-curricular activities in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly supportive campus environment. Coe’s vibrant Cedar Rapids location provides an abundance of internships for students and career opportunities for graduates.