Spotlight
Student and Alumnus Selected as Fulbright Semi-Finalists
Melia Luker (‘25) and Jacob Adams (‘23) have been selected as semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, recommending them by the US National Screening Committee to a host country of their choice.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
Luker, an English major and a double minor in art and history with concentrations in religious studies and museum studies, is a semifinalist in the English Teaching Assistant Program for Spain. With several familial connections to Spain and the Spanish language, she hopes to gain experience teaching there.
“Anytime I had the opportunity to teach, I felt like it was very rewarding for both parties,” Luker said. “I want an opportunity to engage with that more and experience it, because I believe it will inspire me to do it after I graduate for a career.”
Adams, a 2023 alum who graduated with a history major and Spanish minor, is a semifinalist for the English Teaching Assistant Program for Madagascar. Currently studying a Masters in Global and International Studies at the University of Salamanca, he hopes to progress towards his goal of working for the United States foreign service as a diplomat.
“In order to be a diplomat for the US government, they recommend that you learn languages and that you get international experience,” said Adams. “The Fulbright as an English Teaching Assistant is a great way to do that, and I’m excited for the potential opportunity to continue to work and live abroad.”
The application for the 2026–27 cycle will open later this spring. For any Southern Virginia University students interested in applying, contact Professor of Spanish Iana Konstantinova, the university’s Fulbright Program Adviser, at iana.konstantinova@svu.edu