Xavier University of Louisiana is proud to be named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2024. Each year, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) recognizes the engagement of HBCUs with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.

Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders demonstrate noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants and encourage administrators, faculty and students at HBCUs to engage with Fulbright on campus. The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative highlights HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars and showcases the deep intellectual tradition and proud history of each to audiences abroad. Xavier University of Louisiana has previously achieved this recognition a few times since the inaugural announcement in 2019.

“The Fulbright programs have enriched the lives of our students through invaluable international experiences and appreciation for the perspectives of many peoples and for the common thread that binds humanity," said Xavier University of Louisiana President Reynold Verret. “We are deeply grateful for the lasting impact of Fulbright experiences within the Xavier community.”

Founded nearly a century ago by St. Katharine Drexel and her Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana has long prided itself on its commitment to its mission to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its students to assume roles of leadership and service in a global society. Through the opportunities associated with Fulbright, many Xavierites have had the chance for a truly “global” experience, including Clinical Associate Professor in Xavier’s College of Pharmacy’s Division of Clinical and Administrative Sciences Brittany Singleton (‘23), Pharm.D., and Xavierite Ja’lyn Jones (‘27), who were awarded opportunities on the island of Grenada and the United Kingdom, respectively, this year.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations worldwide also provide direct and indirect support to the program.

The announcement of the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made on September 10, 2024, in advance of the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated each HBCU Institutional Leader, saying this designation “is a testament to your institution’s dedication to promoting global engagement and international understanding.”

“The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Program are committed to reflecting the full diversity of the United States,” said Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, emphasizing that HBCU engagement with the Fulbright Program helps to accomplish this goal and “builds meaningful relationships between communities and people around the world.” 

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities are vital contributors to America’s higher education community.  They are dedicated institutions working to develop the leaders of tomorrow,” said Weinhold.

The Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect all aspects of the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. The program also cultivates relationships with external stakeholders, including the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Diversity Abroad, UNCF, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Mobility International, among many others.