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February 12, 2020 – Davidson County Community College received recognition for producing the most 2019-2020 Fulbright U.S. Scholars among U.S. colleges and universities. DCCC is one of 26 community colleges across the nation credited for this recognition.
Two of the college’s vice presidents, Dr. Rhonda Coats and Dr. Margaret Annunziata, accept recognition as a top producing institution for the Fulbright Program. The college was recognized in Washington, DC, during the Association of International Education Administrators’s annual conference.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) each year announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the lists annually.
DCCC’s Associate Dean of Arts, Science and Education, Timothy Gwillim, traveled to Russia as a Fulbright scholar in April 2019. He is among three DCCC leaders who have served as a scholar, including International Education Director Suzanne LaVenture and former college president Dr. Mary Rittling.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” Gwillim said. “Since the trip, we’ve worked to provide our students the connections created during the trip. One of our classes virtually met with their counterparts and peers in Russia. We’re hoping to do a face-to-face exchange of students in the coming year. DCCC’s involvement in international relations and experiences does have a ripple effect for our students and our neighbors across the world.”
DCCC’s participation in the Fulbright Scholar Program is just one part of the college’s International Education program. Over the past eight years, DCCC has hosted 14 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants. This year, the college will offer study abroad programs in Costa Rica, Ireland, South Africa, France and Argentina, as well as a community travel opportunity to Scotland in October. Additionally, DCCC offers numerous on campus events and a Global Scholars program to provide an international perspective to students’ education.
“Part of the NC Community College mission is to produce culturally competent students prepared to live and work in our increasingly interdependent world. I’m so proud that DCCC takes this mission seriously,” Suzanne LaVenture said. “The more international connections and experiences we foster for our students, faculty and staff, the stronger our institution becomes at preparing the people of Davidson and Davie counties for a modern and global workforce.”
The Fulbright Program began as a means to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Over 2,200 U.S. Students and over 900 U.S. college and university faculty and administrators earn Fulbright grants annually. In addition, some 4,000 Fulbright Foreign Students and Visiting Scholars come to the United States annually to study, lecture, conduct research, or teach their native language.
“We are delighted to see that the colleges and universities we are honoring as 2019-2020 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions reflect the geographic and institutional diversity of higher education in the United States,” said Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “In supporting their faculty and administrators who pursue Fulbright awards, these institutions benefit from new viewpoints from abroad and new international collaborations, which often lead to discoveries and breakthroughs that have a global impact.”
Since its beginning in 1946, the global network of over 390,000 Fulbrighters has fostered mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, advanced knowledge across communities and worked to improve lives around the globe.
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. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/Fulbright.
For more information on International Education at DCCC, visit DavidsonCCC.edu/International.
About Davidson County Community College
Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.
Media Contact
Jonathan Williams
Communications Specialist
Davidson County Community College
Office: 336-224-4510
Jonathan_Williams@davidsondavie.edu