These Schools Were Just Named ‘Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders’ By The Fulbright Program

The The Fulbright Program announced Tuesday that 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been designated as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for the 2024-2025 academic year, recognizing their ongoing commitment to international education and academic exchange.

The annual designation honors HBCUs that have demonstrated notable engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship initiative for global academic exchange. Institutions selected for this honor have shown strong support for Fulbright participants and have fostered a culture of global citizenship by encouraging students, faculty, and administrators to pursue Fulbright opportunities.

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported nearly 450,000 participants in more than 160 countries. With funding from the U.S. government and contributions from institutions and partners worldwide, Fulbright promotes mutual understanding through education, research, and cultural exchange.

The 20 institutions recognized as 2024-2025 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders are:

• Albany State University
• Alcorn State University
• Bennett College
• Bluefield State University
• Claflin University
• Clark Atlanta University
• Fayetteville State University
• Florida A&M University
• Howard University
• Jarvis Christian University
• Lincoln University
• Mississippi Valley State University
• Morehouse College
• Morgan State University
• North Carolina A&T State University
• North Carolina Central University
• Spelman College
• Texas Southern University
• Tuskegee University
• Virginia State University

Several of the recognized institutions issued public statements following the announcement.

“Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said Spelman Interim President Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer, C’84. “This recognition reflects our dedication to preparing students and faculty to lead, serve and engage across borders, and we are proud to be part of a program that transforms lives through international education.”

Morehouse College noted the role Fulbright has played in enhancing its academic culture. “These exchanges deepen the institution’s global partnerships while preparing students to navigate and address today’s complex international challenges,” the college said in a statement.

“Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader isn’t just about recognition—it’s about impact,” said Ontario Wooden, Ph.D., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at North Carolina Central University, which received the designation for a third consecutive year. “Every Fulbright scholar who walks through our doors strengthens our campus, our community, and the global perspective we offer our students.”

This year’s cohort of Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders stands as a powerful reflection of the global vision and academic excellence rooted in Black higher education. As these campuses continue to open doors to the world for their students and faculty, they reinforce a legacy of leadership, cultural exchange, and intellectual impact that stretches far beyond the yard.

Watch The Yard is a proud supporter of the Fulbright Program and international education as a whole. We are delighted to see these HBCUs honored for their global leadership, and we remain committed to uplifting the stories, achievements, and aspirations of Black students who engage the world through scholarship and service.

To learn more about the Fulbright Program or how to apply, visit fulbrightprogram.org.