Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona (UA) was recognized as a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

The honor acknowledges UA's high level of participation in the Fulbright Program, an international educational exchange program, according to a news release from the university. The Fulbright HSI Leader designation was created in 2021, and UA was one of the first 35 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to be recognized. The class of 2022 includes 43 schools.

"The University of Arizona's continued recognition as a Fulbright HSI Leader reflects our unwavering dedication to supporting global scholarship and the importance we place on our designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution," Robert Robbins, president of UA, said in the news release. "We are thrilled to witness the groundbreaking work by our Fulbright scholars and students around the world."

Undergraduate student enrollment at an institution of higher education must be at least 25% Hispanic for it to be designated an HSI, the news release noted. There are 559 HSIs in the U.S.

"It is such an honor to receive this designation two years in a row, as it further recognizes the valuable work we have done with the university's Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, housed in the W.A. Franke Honors College," Marla Franco, assistant vice provost for HSI Initiatives at UA, said in the news release. "Our work continues to generate high levels of engagement and support for Hispanic students as they seek to broaden their experiences and expand their impact through the renowned Fulbright international educational exchange program."

Fulbright HSI Leaders are recognized for sending and/or hosting Fulbright students, scholars, and specialists, according to the news release. They also support on-campus engagement with the program during the academic year. UA is one of 24 doctoral-granting institutions that earned the HSI designation.