St. Edward’s University Announces 2018 Fulbright Winners

Nine students from St. Edward’s University will receive the Fulbright Student Scholarship in the 2018–2019 academic school year, giving them the opportunity to teach and research at locations across the globe.

The Fulbright Program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. 

Since 2008, a total of 60 Fulbright Students from St. Edward’s University have been able to not only work and live with, but also learn from the people of host countries. This year’s cohort will serve as teaching assistants, during which they will teach English in their host countries and have the opportunity to conduct independent research and pursue cultural exchange.

All of the winners participated in cross-cultural learning experiences or volunteer opportunities during their time at St. Edward’s. Here’s more about the scholarship winners and the countries they will serve:

Bailey Allegro ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, India 

An Honors Religious and Theological Studies major, Allegro spent a summer doing research for her Honors Senior Thesis in Varanasi, India. The research was supported by a Summer Academic Excellence Award. She presented her thesis at the annual meeting of the Southwest Commission for Religious Studies.

Alissa Barber ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, South Korea

A Social Work major and Catholic Studies minor, Barber spent a semester abroad in Seoul at the Catholic University of Korea. She was a S.E.R.V.E. (St. Edwards Reflect, Volunteer, Engage) 1-Day Coordinator, and participated in two Alternative Spring Break trips. In May, she led an International Immersion trip to Montreal.  

Matthew DiSalvo ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, Malaysia

An Honors Accounting and Finance double major, DiSalvo spent his summers as Boy’s Unit Leader and Head Counselor at two camps for children with cancer and pulmonary diseases respectively. DiSalvo’s honors thesis on denied insurance claims during hurricane Katrina led to him being a panelist at the American Accounting Association’s annual conference. 

Armand Ferreccio ’15, English Teaching Assistantship, Colombia

A Global Studies alumnus and McNair Scholar, Ferreccio won the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for Tajik and Farsi studies, and spent Summer 2014 in Tajikistan. His transgenerational trauma research culminated in a presentation at the National Council of Undergraduate Research (NCUR) conference at Eastern Washington University. 

Gloria Gonzalez ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, France

A French major with a minor in Communication and Sociology, Gonzalez conducted research on pedagogy in France and Peru, funded by a Summer Academic Excellence Award. She also spent a semester at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru in Cusco. 

Sarah Morton ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, Taiwan

An Environmental Science and Policy major and Biology minor, Morton spent a summer in Thailand studying marine conservation and has since conducted marine biology research supported by a Brother Romard, CSC, Grant. The following summer she went on an environmental leadership and service trip to Costa Rica with the EcoLead program. 

Christopher Olivares ’16, English Teaching Assistantship, Spain

An Honors Global Studies major with a focus on Latin America, Olivares is a certified ESL instructor who teaches adult Spanish speakers. Funded by a Summer Academic Excellence Award, he spent a summer studying in Cuba, and his Honors thesis looked at causes of diplomatic rapprochement between the U.S. and Cuba. 

Samantha Rodriguez ’16, English Teaching Assistantship, South Korea

An English Literature major with a Psychology minor, Rodriguez has spent the past two years teaching English and writing at Edcouch-Elsa High School. As a student at St. Edward’s, she was active in the National Honor Society, the Musical Club, and was a University Interscholastic League Academics Coach.

Gabrielle Wilkosz ’18, English Teaching Assistantship, Malaysia

An English Writing and Rhetoric major, Wilkosz has taught abroad in Romania and at home in nonprofit and public school settings. She received the St. Edward’s Faculty Scholarship and served as editor-in-chief of Hilltop Views, the student newspaper, and ARETE, the undergraduate research journal.