The Fulbright Program convened 35 Fulbright Program Advisers (FPAs) from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at Spelman College in Atlanta in February 2024 to exchange knowledge and resources on increasing the participation of HBCU students, alums, and administrators in international exchange.

The training fulfilled Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s commitment that the Fulbright Program would host a workshop for HBCUs as part of an expansion of engagement with HBCUs in all of the Department of State’s educational exchange programs. The Secretary made this commitment when he traveled to Atlanta in May 2023 and met with leadership of the four HBCUs that compose the Atlanta University Center Consortium.

The training provided resources and best practices to campus Fulbright Program Advisers from HBCUs seeking to encourage their graduating students and recent alums to apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and increase their engagement with the Program.

Fulbright Program staff, together with experienced FPA Mentors, Alumni Ambassadors, and advisers from Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders, highlighted campus success stories and practical guidance for advisers from institutions that are newer to Fulbright engagement. The participants connected with a network of HBCU campus advisers, learned more about the role of the FPA in recruiting and advising their students and alums, and discussed how to foster a Fulbright culture on campus.

At the training, the Fulbright Program also encouraged HBCU officials to participate in the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Seminars. The IEA seminars give U.S. professionals the chance to learn about education systems in other countries and form connections with institutions abroad to expand international opportunities on their home campuses. While all IEA seminars welcome applicants from HBCUs, the France and Senegal seminar offers HBCU professionals experiences tailored specifically to their unique academic context.