Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach for a semester in a different country, or to start a new research project with new colleagues in a different part of the world? Every year, more than a thousand US faculty members go abroad to teach or conduct research as a result of the foresight of a senator from Arkansas, James W. Fulbright. Through his efforts, Congress established funding to support exchange programs aimed at increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Today more than ever we feel the acute need to foster mutual understanding, becoming agents of peaceful coexistence instead of proponents of discrimination and hate.
Over the years many DePaul faculty members have earned Fulbright awards and have worked across the globe (http://offices.depaul.edu/global-engagement/faculty-resources/Pages/teach-at-partner-institution.aspx). They all unanimously talk about their Fulbright experience as a time of cultural, personal, and professional transformation and enrichment. These courageous and entrepreneurial faculty members navigated the application and planning process of the Fulbright awards mostly by themselves. In order to maximize awareness of the Fulbright opportunities and to offer support to faculty who are interested in applying for them, Global Engagement worked with Faculty Council to create a new role of Fulbright Mentor for Faculty. We are very excited to welcome within the Global Engagement team our colleague, and previous Fulbright awardee, Dr. Scott Bucking, Associate Professor of History, who volunteered to serve as the first such Mentor. Scott will be available to consult with faculty who are interested in applying for Fulbright awards, offering support and a detailed knowledge of the various programs and opportunities available to faculty.
Mark your calendars for May 12, 2017, 12:00 – 1:00 Room 400 Richardson Library, Lincoln Park Campus, and May 19, 12:00 – 1:00 Room 11013 DePaul Center, Loop Campus, for two informational workshops, over lunch, when Scott will introduce faculty to the richness of opportunities available through Fulbright.
Unless he is digging in Israel or Egypt, you can find Scott in SAC 449 or at 773-3251562, or at
sbucking@depaul.edu
You can also find out more about Fulbright at
https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/information/faculty-members-and-professors