#StandforFulbright: Our Testimony to the U.S. Senate in Support of FY 2026 Funding
On June 27, 2025, the Fulbright Association’s Board of Directors submitted formal testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. In response to the President’s proposed elimination of funding for the Fulbright Program in Fiscal Year 2026, our testimony strongly advocates for the restoration of full funding at $288 million. […]
Tammy Hettinger Appointed Executive Director of the Fulbright Association
Washington, D.C. — The Fulbright Association announces the appointment of Tammy Hettinger as its new Executive Director, beginning July 30, 2025. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and international education, Hettinger brings deep expertise in strategic partnerships, fundraising, and organizational growth. In her current role as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and […]
Defending Fulbright: Our Path Forward Together
Dear Friends of Fulbright, You may have seen recent news that the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget blueprint proposes deep cuts—nearly $700 million—to U.S. educational and cultural exchange programs, including Fulbright. Alongside this, the longstanding Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) has been disbanded. These decisions threaten the partnerships, research collaborations, and people-to-people diplomacy that […]
In Remembrance: Honoring Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim’s Legacy of Bridge-Building and Peace
On behalf of the Fulbright Association, we extend our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of the Israeli staff members who dedicated themselves to the mission of education, diplomacy, and global understanding. Their commitment to fostering meaningful connections across borders was a testament to the ideals we hold dear, and their absence leaves a profound […]
Night of Champions: A Fulbright Community United in Hope and Action
On May 8, 2025, the Fulbright Association hosted the inaugural #StandforFulbright: Night of Champions, a landmark event held in Washington, DC, and broadcast globally to supporters and alumni around the world. The evening served as both a celebration and a call to action—a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of the Fulbright Program and the […]
Remembering Madeline “Maddie” Kleinschmidt
Dear Fulbright community, We are deeply saddened to share that a fellow Fulbrighter, Madeline “Maddie” Kleinschmidt, passed away suddenly on April 19.. She was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at Space Quixote in Cuenca, Spain, from 2023-2024. Born and raised in Kenai, Alaska, Maddie graduated with honors with a B.B.A. in International Business from West […]
Together, We #StandForFulbright.
On behalf of the Fulbright Association, thank you. Because of your unwavering advocacy and belief in global exchange, Congress has restored some of the FY25 funding for international exchange programs—including our vital chapter grant from IIE. This is more than a budget win. It’s a resounding reaffirmation of Fulbright’s global value—and what we can achieve when […]
Welcome back Shaz Akram!
We take a moment to welcome Shaz Akram back to FA in a temporary consultant capacity. She is currently the Founder and President of HerPivot, a storytelling platform for mid-career and executive level women. Prior to starting her own work, she was the Executive Director of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG), the Deputy Director of the […]