College of Arts & Sciences Students Win Prestigious National and International Fellowships

College of Arts & Sciences Students Win Prestigious National and International Fellowships

Students from the University of Louisville’s College of Arts & Sciences continue to stand out on the national and global stage, earning some of the most competitive fellowships in international education, public service, language study, and cultural exchange.  

These honors speak not only to the strength and flexibility of A&S programs, but also to the ambition and global mindset of our students. 

Below are some recent awardees and the fellowships that are helping them expand their worldviews, develop new skills, and prepare to lead in a wide range of fields. 

Pickering Fellowship: U.S. Foreign Service Preparation  

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign AffairsFellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, prepares outstanding young people for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service. 

  • Gzeonie Hampton | Majors: English, Political Science | Minor: Middle East & Islamic Studies Additional Honors: McConnell Scholar, Porter Scholar 

Princeton in Asia Fellowship: Cross-Cultural Impact  

Founded in 1898, Princeton in Asia (PiA) promotes mutual appreciation between the U.S. and Asia through immersive professional placements. 

  • Henrietta (Henny) Ransdell | M.A. in Anthropology (2025) | B.A. in English, Sustainability, Anthropology (2021) Previous Award: 2022 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Thailand 

Fulbright U.S.-U.K. Summer Institutes:Undergrad Study Abroad  

The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes offer first- and second-year students a rich cultural and academic experience at leading universities in the United Kingdom. 

  • Ace Farris | Majors: History, Political Science (Class of 2027) 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Research & Teaching Abroad  

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, one of the world’s most recognized international exchange programs, offers opportunities for independent research, graduate study, or English teaching in over 140 countries. 

Research Awards:  

  • Laura Hanna – Jordan | Major: Individualized in Biology | Minor: Arabic Additional Award: 2024 Critical Language Scholarship to Morocco 

  • Oluwadamilola (Dammy) Jeboda – Switzerland | Major: Psychology (Class of 2025) Honors: Jones Scholar 

  • Brady Smith – Germany | Major: Physics | Minors: Mathematics, German 

  • Calian Zirilli – Chile | Majors: Chemistry, Spanish Honors: Grawemeyer Scholar 

English Teaching Assistantships:  

  • Piper Coleman – Taiwan | Majors: Geography, Environmental Sciences, Political Science (2025) Honors: McConnell Scholar 

  • Anna Kelly – Spain | M.A. in Political Science (2025) 

  • Bryan Lopez – Spain | Majors: Criminal Justice, Spanish (2025) Honors: Ali Scholar, Porter Scholar 

  • Jasmine Procita – Taiwan | Major: Asian Studies | Minors: Chinese, Religious Studies (2025) 

Fulbright Alternates:  

  • Ryan Apperson – Turkey (ETA) Major: Philosophy (2024) Additional Honors: 2023 Boren Scholar to Turkey, 2024 CLS to Turkey 

  • Omar Arar – Bosnia (ETA) Major: Philosophy | Minor: Arabic (2023) 

Boren Scholarships: National Security & Language Study  

The Boren Awards fund immersive study in regions critical to U.S. national security. 

  • Tuesday Shaw – Moldova Majors: Philosophy, Humanities, Russian Studies Honors: Jones Scholar 

Critical Language Scholarships: Global Language Immersion  

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program supports intensive language learning in strategically important regions. 

  • Tia Alchureiqi – Portuguese Major: Neuroscience (2026) Honors: Brown Fellow 

  • Rehan Kahloon – Arabic Majors: Psychology, Spanish (2026) 

Voyager Scholarship: Global Leadership and Travel  

Founded by the Obama Foundation and Brian Chesky, the Voyager Scholarship supports students with funding, travel, and mentorship to help them bridge divides and lead change. 

  • Alexandria Ipock-Groves – Finalist Majors: History, Political Science (2026) Honors: Brown Fellow, 2024 Fulbright UK Summer Institute Participant 

Mary Churchill Humphrey Scholarship: Graduate Study in the UK  

The Mary Churchill Humphrey Memorial Scholarship supports postgraduate study in the United Kingdom for outstanding UofL A&S graduates. 

  • Railey Stonex Major: History | Minor: German 

Why It Matters  

These fellowships offer more than international travel—they provide access to meaningful research, immersive cross-cultural experiences, and real-world opportunities in diplomacy, global health, public policy, and education. 

Whether you want to serve in the Foreign Service, teach abroad, conduct scientific research, or improve your language skills, the College of Arts & Sciences at UofL equips you with the education and mentorship you need to compete—and win—on the world stage.