Oct 27, 2021

Dear campus community,

I am pleased to share that UCI has been named a 2021 Fulbright HSI Leader. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is recognizing the significant engagement that selected Hispanic-Serving Institutions have achieved with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. UCI is one of 35 HSIs in the inaugural cohort of Fulbright HSI Leaders. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our U.S. and foreign students and scholars who have participated in the Fulbright Program.

UCI is one of only four member campuses in the prestigious Association of American Universities to have HSI status. Securing UCI’s HSI designation in 2017 not only fulfilled a key goal of the “Bright Past, Brilliant Future” strategic plan, but also spurred the campus to become the nation’s leading Hispanic/Latinx-thriving university.

The Fulbright HSI Leaders initiative is part of the U.S. State Department’s longstanding commitment to build diversity and inclusion within the Fulbright Program and the other Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs international exchange programs. The State Department created the initiative to recognize the special role the nation’s HSIs play in ensuring that students, faculty and administrators from all backgrounds are able to participate in and benefit from the Fulbright Program. The campuses highlighted this year demonstrated engagement with Fulbright exchange participants and promoted Fulbright Program opportunities during the 2019 to 2021 academic years.

The Fulbright Program is active in more than 160 countries worldwide and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign nations and the United States. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. Celebrations throughout 2021 are highlighting the impressive accomplishments and legacy of the program and its alumni, both in the United States and around the globe. Visit the Fulbright Program website for more information.

#ActforInclusion

Douglas M. Haynes, Ph.D. (Pronouns: he/him/his)
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer
Director, ADVANCE Program
Professor of History