Guatemala, Amsterdam, Taiwan, and Namibia.
These are just a sampling of the diverse destinations where CMCers will soon pursue their research, public service, and teaching aspirations — work made possible by their attainment of prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Three recent CMC alumni were awarded Fulbright grants: Eva Augst ’23 (Austria); Thomas Falci ’23 (Taiwan), and Sarai Ortega ’23 (Guatemala).
Augst, who was a PPE major at CMC, will complete a combined award in Graz, Austria from October 2023-June 2024, studying at the University of Graz, conducting research, and teaching secondary school. While there, her research will focus on environmental ethics, evaluating the social and ethical implications of Austrian decarbonization policy, particularly of a recently implemented carbon pricing mechanism.
For Augst, the Fulbright “represents a chance to fulfill some of my greatest goals, namely devoting myself to a research project I’m passionate about in conjunction with teaching young scholars and immersing myself in local culture. Becoming a Fulbrighter has been a goal of mine for many years, as the organization provides prestigious opportunities for post-undergraduate research and a valuable, widespread alumni network,” she said.
Falci, who majored in International Relations with a regional focus on East Asia, heads to Taiwan, where he will teach English and participate in cultural exchange in the southern county of Pingtung.
He hopes to expand his “frame of reference and knowledge base about Taiwanese culture, politics, and economics, while also developing an international network of friends and colleagues,” he said, adding that he also plans to deepen his knowledge of Mandarin.
Meanwhile, for Ortega, the experience will provide her with the opportunity "to connect with my mother’s home country and learn more about indigenous health practices and resources while supporting education efforts in Guatemala.
Augst, Ortega, and Falci credit CMC faculty, staff and resources with helping to prepare them for their journeys.
Augst cites enriching experiences with the Soll Center for Student Opportunity, her Appel Fellowship, and CMC’s Summer Research Program, where she worked with Professor Aseema Sinha to assist with an upcoming comparative government publication.
For Falci, access to the “incredible professors over the past four years,” enables him to “feel confident in my ability to help design course curriculums and lesson plans while on my Fulbright,” he said. “Additionally, the diversity in experiences and people that I have met at CMC will make it easy for me to forge connections with various members of the communities where I will be working in Taiwan, and easily adapt to the local culture.”
Ortega added that she is "thankful to have such a wide network of CMC alumni who have participated in the Fulbright program!"
In addition to the Fulbright scholars, Jeanie Kim ’23 is the first CMCer to be awarded an 11-month Emerson National Hunger Fellowship for combatting hunger and poverty in the U.S. and Pieter van Wingerden ’24 became the College’s 20th Truman Scholar since Congress established the coveted scholarship in 1975.
“I am always so gratified to see CMC students recognized by these national and international awards,” said Brian Davidson ’08, director of fellowships advising at CMC. “Awards such as Fulbright, Truman, and many others are a testament to our students' intelligence, leadership, cultural adaptability, and public service drive. But more than that, they also help unlock even more resources to propel them to even greater heights after they graduate. It is a privilege to work with these students.”
Emerson National Hunger Fellowship (public policy fellowship on combatting hunger in the U.S.)
- Jeanie Kim ’23
Fulbright Recipients
- Eva Augst ’23 – Combined Teaching/Research (Philosophy), Austria
- Thomas Falci ’23 – English Teaching Assistant, Taiwan
- Sarai Ortega ’23 – English Teaching Assistant, Guatemala
Goldwater Scholarship(STEM research excellence):
- Joyce Kim ’24
Humanity in Action Fellowship(interdisciplinary human rights study)
- Kirby Kimball ’25 (Amsterdam)
Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship(5C fellowship to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to research and academic careers)
- Itzel Ramos ’25
Projects for Peace (grant for a significant summer community development project)
- Bertha Tobias ’24 (Namibia)
Public Policy and International Affairs Program (summer enrichment program for public-service-minded juniors interested in professional graduate programs)
- Jose Chiquito ’24 (Princeton)
- Cassandra Hernandez ’24 (University of Michigan)
- Joelle Min ’24 (UC Berkeley)
- Adarsh Srinivasan ’24 (Carnegie Mellon – Data Analytics)
Truman Scholarship (public service/leadership):
- Pieter van Wingerden ’24