The University of Louisville continues its legacy of supporting globally minded leaders, with a new wave of students earning prestigious national and international scholarships in 2025. Building on a strong tradition of academic excellence and global connectedness, UofL students are set to make their mark this year across various disciplines and continents.
The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange initiative, once again saw a strong representation from UofL.
Nine UofL students earned 2025 Fulbright Awards, securing opportunities for research and English teaching assistantships. Since 2001, UofL has been a Fulbright powerhouse, producing over 180 scholars (the most in Kentucky) and earning national recognition seven times.
Those receiving U.S. Student Fulbright Awards are:
Research Grants:
- Laura Hanna ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Jordan.
- Oluwadamilola (Dammy) Jeboda ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Switzerland.
- Brady Smith ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Germany.
- Calian Zirilli ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, to Chile.
English Teaching Assistantships (ETA):
- Piper Coleman ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Taiwan.
- Anna Kelly ‘25, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Spain.
- Ryan Apperson ‘24, College of Arts and Sciences, will teach in Turkey.
Bryan Lopez ‘25 and Jasmine Procita ‘25, College of Arts of Sciences, who also received ETA Fulbrights, will be pursuing alternative endeavors.
Additionally, the Fulbright US-UK Summer Institute, which offers immersive academic programs and cultural exploration in the United Kingdom, recognized Ace Farris, College of Arts and Sciences. Farris will participate in the “Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, & People” at King’s College London.
The Fulbright award often represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort for many UofL students. Jeboda, a recipient of the prestigious award, engaged in research throughout her undergraduate career at UofL. Her undergraduate research exploring Malawian public opinion on wastewater-based epidemiology with associate professor Rochelle Holm at Envirome Institute was published this year.
Jeboda encourages students to explore and participate in undergraduate research.
“Pursue a topic that you would genuinely like to learn more about. One of the most exciting aspects of research is finding answers to your questions. And don’t shy away from interdisciplinary research,” Jeboda said.
Jeboda also credited the Honors Program as playing a significant role in her success.
“The Honors Program has been central to my career at UofL. Within it, I’ve learned a lot, found incredibly supportive mentors and been exposed to professional development opportunities,” Jeboda said. “It’s been a smaller community within the university, and made my experience feel more personal.”
Other prestigious scholars
Two students were awarded the Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State. The CLS program provides opportunities for overseas language and cultural immersion in critical languages that are essential to the United States’ engagement with the world.
CLS recipients are:
- Tia Alchureiqi, College of Arts and Sciences, for Portuguese.
- Rehan Kahloon, College of Arts and Sciences, for Arabic.
Five students were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, a nationally competitive award for Pell Grant eligible students to study abroad.
- Amanda Estefany Cobian Batista, studying in Spain for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Isabella Sara Santos Bastien, studying in Brazil fall semester 2025.
- Zahraa Ahmed Hatem Abbas, studying in Italy summer 2025.
- Kadence Bradford, studying in Costa Rica summer 2025.
- Nalani Avalos, studying in South Korea summer 2025.
Railey Stonex ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the Mary Churchill Humphrey Scholarship, which supports graduate study in the United Kingdom for outstanding UofL College of Arts & Sciences graduates.
Tuesday Shaw, College of Arts and Sciences was awarded the Boren Scholarship to Moldova. The Boren Awards provide students in all fields of study with funding for immersive study abroad in languages and regions of interest to U.S. national security.
Gzeonie Hampton, College of Arts and Sciences, was named a recipient of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. This program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, prepares outstanding individuals for careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Henrietta Ransdell ’21, ’25, College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the Princeton in Asia Fellowship. This fellowship fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding through immersive work experiences in Asia.
Alexandria Ipock-Groves, College of Arts and Sciences, was named a finalist for the Voyager Scholarship created by the Obama Foundation and Brian Chesky. This scholarship supports young leaders with financial aid, travel experiences and mentorship.
