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Seaver College alumna Tessa McClinton ('25) has been selected for the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship, where she will reside in the city of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, from September 2025 to July 2026 and work as an English teaching assistant at a foreign language high school. McClinton, who holds a degree in international and Italian studies, will be assisting a local Bulgarian teacher with engaging students who are familiar with the English language in improving their grammar and speaking skills. 

Founded by US senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, the Fulbright Program has maintained its long-standing mission as the largest United States exchange program, fostering peaceful global relations with mutual, friendly understanding. Each year the Fulbright US Student Program selects a limited number of individuals to receive its highly competitive fellowship seeking well-rounded applicants who display professional leadership, academic excellence, and cross-cultural involvement. Fulbright fellows spend 10 months abroad to conduct research in their chosen field or assist in the teaching of English, an opportunity where McClinton plans to create meaningful connections while learning Bulgarian customs. 

鈥淚 hope to grow as a thoughtful and respectful representative of the United States,鈥� McClinton says. 

Tessa McClinton (second to the left) with Ambassador Julie Turner (middle)

At 国產aⅴa麻豆McClinton supported fellow students as an Italian language tutor under the mentorship of Brittany Corbucci, assistant instructor of Italian studies. 鈥淎side from being a top scholar, Tessa is a gracious leader who guides with patience and by example,鈥� says Corbucci. 鈥淚t was a privilege to witness her leadership through her work as co-president, as an Italian tutor in the , and as a mentee. Tessa will be an exceptional representative of our university in the Fulbright program.鈥� 

Throughout the course of her international studies, McClinton was further mentored by David Simonowitz, associate professor of Middle East studies, who McClinton consulted during the initial stages of composing her Fulbright application essays. 

鈥淭essa is an astute observer of cultural nuances and is a gifted writer and communicator,鈥� says David Simonowitz. 鈥淪he has a flair for professional and diplomatic exchange and should prove an exceptional representative of the United States abroad and of the principles and ethics that 国產aⅴa麻豆University inculcates in its students.鈥� 

Fortifying her talents through her 国產aⅴa麻豆education, McClinton now eagerly anticipates the extended cross-cultural immersion that Fulbright facilitates, as well as discovering the ways in which her study abroad experience in has prepared her for the Fulbright fellowship. McClinton鈥檚 participation in also took her to countries such as Croatia and Bosnia, which sparked her interest in Slavic linguistics and cultures.

鈥湽�產aⅴa麻豆is rich with resources to aid in applying for Fulbright,鈥� McClinton says. 鈥淲orking with students one on one and understanding how different people approach language learning inspired me to continue teaching.鈥� 

Dana Dudley, associate dean of special academic programs, who guided McClinton through the Fulbright application process, oversees the Fulbright campus committee, which consists of faculty members who have either received a Fulbright themselves or participated in other types of grant application processes. 

鈥湽�產aⅴa麻豆offers our students many opportunities to develop their leadership skills and experience,鈥� says Dudley, of the different ways students can strengthen their readiness for fellowships such as Fulbright鈥檚. 鈥淧articipation in experiences such as , club leadership roles, undergraduate research, tutoring, and volunteering at local organizations prepares them to be competitive candidates.鈥� 

With her Fulbright Fellowship, McClinton joins an eminent group of who exemplify the University鈥檚 commitment to excellence, including alumnus Sean Wu ('24), Pepperdine鈥檚 first Rhodes scholar.

鈥淭his fellowship will help to inform the cross-cultural work that I plan to pursue,鈥� says McClinton. 鈥淚 hope to learn about Bulgarian customs and create meaningful connections in Blagoevgrad and beyond.鈥�