The first Fulbright Day at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was held May 1 as a collaboration between the UAPB Office of International Programs and Studies and the Arkansas chapter of the Fulbright Association.
Fulbright Programs for students, scholars, artists, professionals and others have supported and promoted global understanding across national borders.
The Fulbright Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting international educational and cultural exchange through the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program. Founded in 1977, the association supports alumni engagement, fosters mutual understanding between nations and helps amplify global impact through dialogue, outreach and advocacy.
The programs are named in honor of the late U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, who represented Arkansas from 1945-1974 and served as chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
“The destiny of a nation is determined by its leadership, as we know from the experience of our Founding Fathers,” said Pamela D. Moore, associate dean for global engagement at UAPB. “This is why I am so pleased that we were able to conduct our first Fulbright Day at UAPB successfully.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Members of the Fulbright delegation engaged in various activities, such as providing an information table for UAPB faculty, staff and students, conducting individual and group discussions with students and faculty, facilitating small group break-out sessions with faculty and staff and consulting with leadership and academic faculty.
“I wish to thank DeDe Long, treasurer and member of the Arkansas Chapter Board of Directors, and a former colleague when she served as director of the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange at the University of Arkansas, for approaching me about applying for a chapter outreach grant and then joining forces with OIPS to make Fulbright Day at UAPB a reality.”
Long and Glen Harrison, president of the Arkansas chapter of the Fulbright Association, were instrumental in the success of this event, she said.
“We all knew it would be a challenge with the rescheduled event on Thursday, April 29, 2025, so near the end of the semester. Nevertheless, we were able to interact with numerous students, faculty, and staff. I am grateful that the chapter donated funds to the success of this event despite the loss of the initial grant awarded. We look forward to a repeat event next year,” Moore said.
The Fulbright delegates and brief bios included:
Glen Harrison, Ph.D. – (University of Tennessee), president, Arkansas Chapter of the Fulbright Association (Little Rock); retired, university teaching and work at the Center for Transportation Analysis at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, World Bank, and U.S. Agency for International Development; and two-time Fulbright Scholarship recipient to teach at universities in South Korea.
Christina Standerfer, Ph.D. – (University of Colorado), board of directors, Arkansas Chapter of the Fulbright Association (Centerton), emeritus professor of Communications, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service; Fulbright Lecturing Scholar in Albania and Kosovo, Fulbright Scholar peer reviewer, and Fulbright Scholar Alumni Legacy Ambassador.
DeDe Long, M.Ed. – (University of Arkansas), treasurer, Arkansas Chapter of the Fulbright Association (Fayetteville); emeritus director, Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange, University of Arkansas; former chair of the national Fulbright Association; former campus Fulbright Program Advisor; and international administrators Fulbright grant to Germany.
Christinah Hambira – Visiting Fulbright Scholar (Botswana), Clinton School of Public Service, Master’s degree candidate, May 2025; Former Fulbright scholar, Indiana University, 2015 educator, guidance counselor, and founder of non-profit: Kgalagadi Women’s Empowerment Centre, Botswana.
Duru Erkan – Fulbright English teaching assistant, Belgium, 2022-2023; Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas; and currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
ORIGINAL FULBRIGHT DAY
Fulbright Day at UAPB was initially supported by an outreach grant from the Fulbright Association. The event was originally scheduled for April 16-17, 2025.
“These plans were jettisoned when the U.S. Department of State budget cuts jeopardized funding to the National Fulbright Association,” according to a news release.
“Thanks to the advocacy and support shown within the cohort of 400,000 former Fulbrighters (about half from the U.S. and the other half from across the world) and a vast network of supporters, funding is being restored, but vigilance is being encouraged,” according to the release.
Interested persons may access obtain updates on the Fulbright program status and the #StandforFulbright advocacy initiative at Fulbright Program Status – Fulbright.org and https://fulbright.org/advocacy/.