Eighteen University of Iowa students and alumni have been selected from more than 11,000 applicants nationwide to receive prestigious Fulbright Awards for the 2025–26 academic year. The recipients will represent the U.S. Department of State in countries around the world — teaching English, pursuing graduate studies, serving in community organizations, and conducting research. This achievement reinforces the UI’s standing as a national leader in global scholarship, having been named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Student Awards for nine years.
“Given our stellar track record, Iowa’s Fulbright success should come as no surprise,” says Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. “This year’s results are particularly noteworthy given the increasingly large number of applicants nationwide. What we’re seeing is that Iowa’s candidates are succeeding in an ever more competitive selection pool.”
The achievement reflects both the strength of Iowa’s applicants and the dedication of their support networks.
“It’s inspiring to see the exceptional quality of Fulbright applicants from the University of Iowa continue to be recognized year after year at the national level,” says Brenda Longfellow, associate professor of classics and UI Fulbright faculty mentor. “Earning a Fulbright demands remarkable perseverance and self-drive.”
Fulbright applicants often spend six months or more preparing their materials, guided by UI Fulbright Program Advisor Karen Wachsmuth and her team. Additionally, the success of Iowa’s Fulbright program reflects the collaborative effort of more than 50 faculty mentors, committee members, and staff.
For many recipients, the path to the Fulbright Award began with formative experiences during their time at Iowa. Delaney Orewiler, who will serve as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Morocco, says her undergraduate studies shaped her aspirations.
“There were countless experiences at Iowa that inspired me to pursue a Fulbright,” Orewiler says. “My study abroad experience completely changed my life. Before it, I had no idea what my next steps were. Through studying abroad, I discovered my passion for teaching and exploring the intricacies of culture and language. Being a student at Iowa opened countless doors for me to become the person I am today.”
Similarly, Angelina Evans, who received a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Germany, found inspiration through international connections on campus.
“Connecting with international students—and even meeting a Fulbright grantee who was researching in the U.S.—made me even more interested in being part of an exchange between countries,” says Evans.
This year’s cohort includes several notable firsts and achievements.
“Belgium, a very competitive country, has awarded grants for the first time to two UI students,” says Wachsmuth. “Germany and Spain are also welcoming two exceptionally skilled UI student researchers—one in geoinformatics working on flood-related health concerns, and another in psychology focused on suicide prevention.”
The breadth of research areas reflects Iowa’s broad academic excellence, with students preparing for their international experiences by honing skills in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, French, and German. For these students, Fulbright represents more than an academic opportunity—it’s a stepping stone to global careers.
Maia Rivera Diaz, heading to Spain as an English teaching assistant, sees a clear connection to her future goals. “After completing my Fulbright, I plan to attend law school and pursue a career as a foreign service officer,” Rivera Diaz says. “Serving as an ETA in Spain will provide me with valuable experience engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, understanding their needs, and helping answer their questions—skills that are essential to my future career.”
Meet this year’s recipients:
Paras Bassuk, of Iowa City, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain, they planned to teach in Galicia using creative, arts-based pedagogy—but have declined the grant to pursue a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford.
Jennifer Cano, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and English education in 2023. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain, she will teach English and lead a creative writing workshop featuring spoken word nights and a student literary magazine.
Emily Callahan, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and journalism and mass communication in 2022. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Montenegro, she will teach English and introduce students to American literature and culture through classroom and extracurricular activities.
Maddie Cason, of West Des Moines, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Bachelor of Arts in economics. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany, she will live and teach English while immersing herself in the local culture.
Alice Cruse, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, she will teach English to elementary and junior high students in Pingtung County.
Angelina Evans, of Tiffin, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with an Master of Science in informatics and in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in geography. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Germany, she will research the health impacts of flooding and model future flood risks in at-risk communities.
Marissa Good, of Marion, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Science in political science, sociology, and ethics and public policy in 2023. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Belgium, she will teach English at UCLouvain Saint-Louis in Brussels and collaborate with feminist organizations on leadership and empowerment initiatives.
Felipe Herrmann, of Ames, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology in 2023. With a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Spain, he will develop and test a digital mindfulness-based safety planning tool to support individuals at risk for suicide.
Ryann Hubbart, of Clinton, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Bachelor of Arts in international studies in 2023. Awarded a Fulbright Study/Research Grant to Belgium, she planned to pursue a Master of Arts in African studies at Ghent University, but has opted to begin a PhD in history at Johns Hopkins University.
Hser Dir Mu, of Storm Lake, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in human physiology. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Thailand, he will teach English to high school or college students and explore the country’s medical care system.
Andrew S. Kelleher, of New Albin, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and political science. He was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Kosovo, where he plans to teach university students and lead community engagement activities.
Noah LeFevre, of Hesston, Kansas, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in social studies education and political science. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Bulgaria, he will teach English at one secondary school and two elementary schools in Panagyurishte. He will also lead a weekly English club through a professional high school and coach an English debate and speech group.
Katie Mathew, of Middlebury, Indiana, graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany, she will teach English and plans to lead creative writing workshops and continue playing the pipe organ at a local church.
Josie Mbaye, of Slater, Iowa, graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in environmental sciences. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, she planned to teach English through science and cultural topics, lead a cooking club and geology camp, and volunteer with adults with disabilities. She ultimately declined the award to pursue a teaching opportunity in the U.S.
Delaney Orewiler, of Des Moines, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and French in 2024. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Morocco, she will teach English at the university level and lead a language and culture club focused on Morocco’s linguistic diversity.
Maia Rivera Diaz, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, earned a Bachelor of Arts in international relations in 2024. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain, she will teach English in Galicia and lead basketball clinics and community service projects.
Isabel Rushton, of Iowa City, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Arts in global health studies in 2024. As the first UI recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Slovakia, she will teach English to secondary school students and lead a creative writing club.
Andy Stewart, of Iowa City, Iowa, earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in German in 2024. With a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan, he will teach English to elementary students on the Kinmen/Matsu islands and volunteer in the local community.
In addition, two semifinalists were named as alternates for 2025-26:
Angela Boateng, of Anthem, Arizona, graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a focus in cinema.
Marta Leira, of Iowa City, Iowa, graduated in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a concentration in gender, health, and health care equity.
