By Ball State Marketing & Communications—
MUNCIE, IN – Four recent Ball State University graduates have been chosen for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program—one of the most prestigious and widely recognized international programs, which grants support for pursuing graduate studies, conducting research, or teaching English abroad.
Each graduate has been selected for an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA). In this role, they will help students in their host countries develop English language skills, and serve as cultural ambassadors between nations.
This year’s Ball State Fulbright U.S. Student Program selections are:
Brianna Lopez of Noblesville, Ind., Host country destination—Bulgaria
Ms. Lopez completed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with minors in Philosophy and Women’s & Gender Studies, in May 2022. At Ball State, she was a teaching assistant in two Psychology courses, a peer mentor for Honors College freshmen, associate editor for Ball State’s international undergraduate philosophy journal, and co-founder of a new undergraduate psychology journal.
Alexis Pitchford of Carmel, Ind., Host country destination—Greece
Ms. Pitchford completed a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, along with a minor in Psychology of Human Development, in December 2021. She is a graduate student in the Educational Psychology program, and is scheduled to complete her master’s degree in July 2022. At Ball State, Ms. Pitchford has been a tutor and an executive board member of both Make-A-Wish and Hillel, a Jewish student organization.
Riley Sigler of Torrance, Calif., Host country destination—Spain
Ms. Sigler completed a major in Theatre (Acting), and minor in Spanish, in May 2022. Her experiences during the past four years included acting, directing shows with young children through Performing Arts Workshops, producing and hosting a podcast, and serving as a teaching assistant. She intends to act and teach acting, eventually at the university level.
Jess Walls of Brookville, Ind., Host country destination—Taiwan
Ms. Walls completed a Teaching major in English and minor in Chinese in May 2022. At Ball State, she was active in the Future Educators Peer Mentoring Program, Cardinal Teacher Corps, and Chinese Club. After completing her Fulbright year, Ms. Walls plans to complete a post-baccalaureate certification in teaching Mandarin as a foreign language and teach English language arts and Mandarin in Indiana schools.
Another recent graduate, Jessie Russett of Trinidad, Colo., was offered a Fulbright ETA to Poland but opted to decline. Ms. Russett is a 2009 Ball State graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in History, and 2012 graduate with a master of arts degree in Anthropology. She was one of 14 semifinalists from Ball State in this year’s Fulbright competition.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 21,600 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century. We Fly!
