Morgan Administrator Awarded Prestigious Fulbright Fellowship to Study Higher Education and Research in France, Spurring International Academic Exchange

Morgan State University’s Yacob Astatke, D. Eng., assistant vice president for International Affairs, was selected to receive a grant to participate in the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Program in France. The bilateral educational exchange initiative between the United States and France will afford Dr. Astatke a unique opportunity to study the French higher education and research systems. The program, which is financed by both governments and administered by the Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange, serves as a way for the two countries to enhance their mutual understanding of each other through cooperation and collaboration among their students, teachers and research scholars. Dr. Astatke is one of 12 higher education professionals and executives selected to participate in the two-week program which takes place from October 7-19, 2023.

The international enrichment program brings together professionals and senior higher education officials by way of cross-cultural learning experiences designed to augment their institutions’ capacity for international education, cultivate international relationships, and support international educational exchange programs. Dr. Astatke will leverage his participation in the program to advance the implementation of the “Morgan Global” initiative — a key component to the University’s 10-year strategic plan, Transformation Morgan 2030, that focuses on accelerating global education initiatives and expanding the University’s international footprint. During his study in France, Dr. Astatke will establish relationships with French institutions of higher education developing bilateral agreements with colleges or universities that are interested in pursuing alliances with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Another goal will be to expand Virtual Exchange (VE) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) partnerships as well as study abroad opportunities for Morgan students. The time abroad will also include group seminars and workshops, campus visits, as well as meetings with selected government officials and French international education professionals.

According to the 2021 Open Doors Report, Black or African American students lag in the rate of participation in study abroad on a national level in comparison to other races and ethnicities. Morgan is among the nation’s top producers of Fulbright scholars and the first among HBCUs. To date, 149 students and 75 professors/administrators have received Fulbright-related grants and scholarships to teach and study abroad in more than 42 countries. This past fall for a third consecutive year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Morgan as an HBCU Institutional Leader.

As the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program for college students, faculty, and administrators, Fulbright has fostered mutual understanding and a rewarding flashpoint for cultural and educational exchange between the United States and other countries since its inception in 1946. Noted for its merit-based selection process and academic prestige, the program provides awards to approximately 8,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals from the United States and other countries every year.

In his role as AVP of the Division of International Affairs, Dr. Astatke has led oversight and management of Morgan’s Office of Study Abroad and its Fulbright Scholarship Program. Recently, the Fulbright Scholarship Program, which is now housed within the University’s College of Liberal Arts, named faculty member Megan DeVirgilis, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Spanish, to serve as the program’s new advisor.

Congratulations Dr. Astatke for receiving this distinct honor and representing the National Treasure abroad as the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) awardee for the 2023 cohort!