HPU Sets Record With 11 Fulbright Semifinalists
Eleven High Point University seniors and alumni have been named semifinalists for the 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It marks the most Fulbright semifinalists from HPU in school history. Pictured from left were Kristin Salvatore, Emma Higgins, Mac Mollins, Taylor Galavotti and Madison Shelby. Not shown were Nigel Debrito, Savannah Graver, Cora Hicks, Blake Horne, Jorgen Krone and Ethan Muckerheide.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 11, 2025 – Eleven High Point University seniors and alumni have been named semifinalists for the 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It marks the most Fulbright semifinalists from HPU in school history.
The Fulbright provides funding for graduating seniors, graduate students and young professionals to teach English, pursue master’s degrees or conduct research in more than 140 countries around the world.
All 11 semifinalists developed their Fulbright applications under the guidance of HPU’s Office of National Fellowships and Awards, writing two essays and sitting for a Fulbright Campus Committee interview with dedicated faculty. HPU students applied for fully funded graduate study and English teaching awards in Israel, Italy, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
“We’re thrilled to have had another successful year of motivated students applying for this prestigious award,” said Dr. James Cotton, HPU’s director of national fellowships and awards. “Their success is a direct result of the support that HPU offers its students so that they can be competitive on a national level.”
This year’s semifinalists and the countries they applied for are as follows:
Nigel Debrito, exercise science major, Honors Scholar and 2023 alumnus — English teaching assistantship in Portugal
Taylor Galavotti, English and neuroscience major, Honors Scholar — English teaching assistantship in Timor-Leste
Savannah Graver, international relations major with Chinese minor — Master’s degree program in Asia-Pacific Studies at National Chengchi University in Taiwan
Cora Hicks, English and psychology major with Spanish minor, Honors Scholar and 2024 alumna — English teaching assistantship in Spain
Emma Higgins, electrical engineering major, Honors Scholar — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia
Blake Horne, music and neuroscience major, Honors Scholar and 2024 alumnus — English teaching assistantship in Taiwan
Jorgen Krone, political science major with global commerce and business administration minors and 2024 alumnus — Tel Aviv University in Israel
Mac Mollins, history and political science major with religion minor, Honors Scholar —English teaching assistantship in Turkey
Ethan Muckerheide, psychology major with religion minor, Honors Scholar and 2024 alumnus — University of Stirling Award in Health, Well-Being and Sport in Scotland, United Kingdom
Kristin Salvatore, elementary education major with minors in Italian studies and special education and a 2024 alumna, STEM education Master of Education — English teaching assistantship in Italy
Madison Shelby, elementary education major with French minor — English teaching assistantship in South Korea
Fulbright’s National Screening Committee chose HPU’s Fulbright semifinalists to proceed to the final round of selection. After the Fulbright recipients are announced later this spring, they will live in their host countries for one academic year to fulfill the exchange program’s mission of mutual understanding between nations.
“I’m super excited by Fulbright’s mission as a way to uplift Timorese literature and build a global community,” said Galavotti, who is from Lexington, Kentucky. “Through an English teaching assistantship in Timor-Leste, I would not only develop my teaching skills in a university setting but also learn from my students about their amazing country, history and culture.”
Established in 1964, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. This exchange program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. During their grants, program participants will work, live with and learn from people of the host country, sharing daily experiences.