WILBERFORCE — Central State University was one of 19 named a 2018-2019 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program of the United States government and was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Through this inaugural “Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader” designation, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is recognizing the historically black colleges and universities that have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2018-2019 academic year and have promoted Fulbright Program opportunities on campus.

“Central State is proud to represent the United States in this revered international outreach program,” said university spokesperson Robert Vickers.

CSU is currently home to three Fulbright Scholars from Russia, Taiwan and Tunisia.

The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 390,000 passionate and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems.

“We are pleased to recognize our Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for the work they have done in engaging with the Fulbright Program,” Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce said. “We look forward to continued collaboration in promoting mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. We hope that this recognition inspires HBCUs as well as other institutions to take advantage of all the Fulbright Program has to offer, internationalizing campuses while supporting scholars and students who benefit professionally and personally from a Fulbright experience.”

Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries worldwide and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States. Many of these organizations also provide direct and indirect support.