Three 2024 Georgia Southern University Honors College graduates have been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
The three Georgia Southern Fulbright Scholars are:
James Landers (’24)
English Teaching Assistant Program in Taiwan
A history major, James Landers worked with Mao Lin, Ph.D., to complete his honors thesis, “Unilateralism and Strategic Ambiguity in American Foreign Policy: The Taiwan Relations Act in Context.” Landers’ research fueled his desire to travel to Taiwan and apply for this opportunity.
His primary goal for the year is “to increase my proficiency in Mandarin so that upon my return to the United States I can jump right into my graduate research on the United States’ relationship with Taiwan and China.”
Rylee Stanton (’24)
English Teaching Assistant Program in Colombia
Rylee Stanton, who graduated with a degree in international studies and world languages and cultures – Spanish, studied abroad in Colombia in the summer of 2022, and was eager to return. Stanton completed an honors thesis, “The Edge of Paradise: Consumer Experiences with Sustainable Development,” with William Biebuyck, Ph.D., in the Department of Political Science and International Studies.
Stanton is thrilled to continue to explore this topic further as a Fulbright Scholar. “My time teaching will be spent creating powerful educational experiences for students and building a community of lifelong learners and global citizens,” she said.
Lilly Thompson ’24
Study/Research Grant to Latvia
International studies graduate Lilly Thompson completed her thesis, “Examining Populist Political Parties in the Baltic States and Slovenia,” with Jacek Lubeccki, Ph.D., in the Department of Political Science and International Studies, and is excited to continue to research the Baltic States in graduate school. Thompson will earn a master’s degree in international governance and diplomacy in Latvia while researching transitional justice.
“The legacy of transitional justice still informs Latvia’s governance and foreign policy today, especially regarding the treatment of ethnic minorities and support for other victims of gross human rights violations, such as in Ukraine,” she said.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program expands perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Fulbright creates connections in a complex and changing world. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English abroad.
During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, individuals will interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.
The Honors College at Georgia Southern is an inclusive community of scholars that fosters intellectual and professional development through undergraduate research and creative scholarship, experiential learning, global engagement and personalized mentorship.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
