Seventeen University of Iowa students and alumni were chosen from more than 10,000 Fulbright Award applicants nationwide to serve as representatives of the U.S. Department of State in 14 countries during the 2024-25 academic year. The students will teach English abroad, serve in local community organizations, enroll in graduate studies at cutting-edge universities, and conduct research and creative arts projects.
“The success of this year’s Fulbright awardees trumpets Iowa’s success as an institution at the forefront of global education,” says Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs, which oversees the university’s Fulbright programs. “Our Fulbright cohort boasts tremendous accomplishments in both teaching and research while speaking to Iowa’s resolute commitment to putting our candidates in the best possible position to achieve their dreams across the global landscape.”
This year’s Fulbright awardees come from a diverse cohort of high-achieving students, spanning fields from indigenous librarianship to biostatistics and jewelry making. Of the awardees, 25% are first-generation students, and many of them have prepared for their Fulbright experience by studying languages such as Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and French at Iowa.
“Their big dreams and hard work for the past year have served them well,” says Karen Wachsmuth, Fulbright program advisor. “We are extremely proud of them and know they will superbly represent our university and country abroad as citizen ambassadors.”
The UI is consistently recognized as a leading producer of Fulbright scholars nationwide. Over the past eight years, the UI has supported more than 100 awardees, providing applicants with guidance from faculty and staff mentors with expertise in various world regions and countries.
“Throughout the year, the Fulbright mentors have the great pleasure of seeing our Iowa applicants prepare to spend a year outside the United States, and, when the finalists return after their year abroad, we have the great pleasure of hearing their new perspectives on the wider world,” says Kathleen Newman, UI Fulbright faculty mentor and associate professor in Spanish and Portuguese.
“Mentoring is key to success in a Fulbright application, and International Programs has established partnerships with faculty mentors from across campus to ensure that applicants receive ample constructive feedback on their writing,” says Tabitha Peter, winner of a Fulbright Study Research Grant to Colombia for 2024—25.
The Fulbright Program’s aim is to foster mutual understanding between the United States and other nations by offering participants the chance to engage in study, teaching, research, and collaborative efforts to address global challenges and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
“As a future maritime conflict scholar, this opportunity to do research on Arctic international relations in Norway will significantly enhance my dissertation research, allow me to gain international connections, and learn more about the geopolitical challenges countries face in the fast-changing Arctic Circle,” says Chase LaSpisa, winner of a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Norway for 2024—25. “I plan to use this experience to set myself up for a career that will allow my research to reach foreign policymakers and advocate for peaceful and sustainable interactions in our oceans.”
For 2024-25 Fulbright awardee Margo Christensen, a Fulbright means not only a chance to expand her knowledge of the world but to inspire future students.
“As an aspiring social studies teacher, having firsthand cultural exchange will be vital to my teaching style,” says Christensen. “Having this experience will allow me to more adequately teach my future students about foreign countries, traditions, and lifestyles. I hope to inspire students to be curious about the world around them and encourage them to explore beyond the United States’ borders.”
Apart from the mentorship of faculty and advisors, Fulbright finalists also credit their experiences at Iowa and abroad for igniting their interest in global exploration
William Jones, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was the recipient of a Richard J. Tyner Scholarship to Germany in 2022, a scholarship he says played a large role in his decision to pursue a Fulbright.
“Being able to participate in a program like Academic Year in Freiburg (AYF) for my senior year helped solidify my interest and inspired me to make the formal commitment to apply,” says Jones. “Before my Academic Year in Freiburg experience, I had not been out of the United States. Through that time, I learned a lot about myself and my ability to live in a foreign country. Suddenly, my world was no longer just the distance between Lincoln, Nebraska, and Davenport, Iowa, but instead spanned across oceans."
The Fulbright program is administered at Iowa through International Programs under the guidance of Karen Wachsmuth. Students interested in applying for the 2025-26 Fulbright program should make an appointment to learn more about the application process. The Campus Deadline for University of Iowa students applying for the 2025-26 awards is Aug. 29.
“Start your application process as early as possible,” advises Miah Clark, winner of a Fulbright Study/Research grant in interdisciplinary studies to New Zealand for 2024-25.“And be confident in connecting with professionals at the University of Iowa who will be willing to help you throughout this process.”
Meet this year’s recipients:
Claire Breger-Belsky, of West Newbury, Massachusetts, received an MFA in literary translation in 2023. With the Fulbright Study/Research grant in translation to Argentina, Breger-Belsky will conduct research and translate plays and poetry of women writing in Yiddish in Argentina.
Margo Christensen, of Ogden, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social studies education in 2023. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Thailand, she will teach English and create a sports club for members of the community.
Miah Clark, of Overland Park, Kansas, will receive a master’s degree in library and information science in May. With the Fulbright Study/Research grant in interdisciplinary studies to New Zealand, Clark will pursue a master's degree in Indigenous studies with a Pacific Islands focus at the Victoria University of Wellington.
Spencer Cooper-Ohm, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and English and creative writing in 2024. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Kosovo, he will teach English and start a debate club.
Wyatt Hellman, of Fort Madison, Iowa, will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian languages and literatures in May. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, he will teach English and organize a community board gaming club.
Jennifer Jiman, of Des Plaines, Illinois, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology in 2023. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award to South Korea, she will teach English and start a book club for elementary school children.
William Jones, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2023. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany, he will teach English and start a film club.
Tess Knickerbocker, of Arlington, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and journalism and mass communication in 2021. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain, she will teach English and create a journalism club.
Chase LaSpisa, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is a PhD candidate in political science. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Norway, he will conduct research on Arctic international relations in Norway.
Maria Osman, of Iowa City, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies in 2022. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Indonesia, she will teach English and create a community art, literature, and film club.
Fabian Ouellet-Pinto, of Iowa City, Iowa, will receive a Master of Arts in Teaching English education in May. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, he will teach English and facilitate creative writing workshops.
Peyton Pangburn, of Northwood, Iowa, will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations in May. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Moldova, she will teach English and study de facto states, autonomy arrangements, and host country-western dances.
Tabitha Peter, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, is a PhD candidate in biostatistics. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Colombia, she will connect genetic data analysis with family-centered health care for cleft lip/palate patients.
Jurnie Rosius, of Marion, Iowa, will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in health and human physiology in May. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant in medical sciences to Germany, she will study the development of radiation retinopathy in mouse models of cancer.
Clayton Salley, of Austin, Texas, is a Master of Fine Arts candidate in studio art, jewelry, and metal arts. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Taiwan, he will undertake training in advanced metalsmithing processes.
Ciara Tapanes
Ciara Tapanes, of Northampton, Massachusetts, will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics with a teaching English as a second language emphasis in May. She was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Mexico.
Ian Zwaschka, of Des Moines, Iowa, received Bachelor of Arts degrees in cinema, and English and creative writing in 2021. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to the Czech Republic, he will teach English and engage with the local community through an improvisational comedy project.
In addition, six semifinalists were named as alternates for 2024—25:
- Phillip Cooper-Ohm, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, will graduate in May with Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and creative writing, and economics.
- Katherine Esquivel, of Hialeah, Florida, graduated in August 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.
- Sophia Gluba, of Davenport, Iowa, will graduate in May with Bachelor of Arts degrees in international relations and history.
- Daniel Hettrick, of Bettendorf, Iowa, graduated in December 2022 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and archaeology.
- Dylan Morgan, of Des Moines, Iowa, graduated in May 2023 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and international relations.
- Andrew Steiner, of Huntington, Pennsylvania, graduated in May 2022 with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.
