Oberlin Named a Top Producer of Fulbright Students for 2025-26

For the 17th consecutive year, the Fulbright Program has named Oberlin College and Conservatory a Top Producer of Fulbright students. 

Sixteen Oberlin students and alums were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2025-26 academic year. These awardees encompass the popular English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program and Fulbrights geared toward study and research, including in the creative arts.

Oberlin is a perennial leader among undergraduate institutions in Fulbright honorees; it remains third on the all-time list, with more than 300 Fulbright recipients. The college also had 39 semifinalists overall in the 2025-26 application cycle.

“It is a point of pride for me and everyone on campus that Oberlin is a top producer of Fulbright winners year after year,” says Oberlin President Carmen Twillie Ambar. “Our people are deeply invested in supporting the academic passions of our students. When our Fulbrighters travel the world sharing Oberlin’s excellence, it is a reflection of this work.”

In recognition of the complex nature of Fulbright applications, Oberlin offers students tailored, comprehensive assistance with their materials. This includes multiple information sessions and one-on-one meetings; access to faculty and staff experts trained to read Fulbright applications; five dedicated peer tutors; and the ability to submit essay drafts for unlimited revisions. Students also receive individualized essay support via regular all-day writing sessions and staff in Oberlin’s Writing Center.

“Oberlin’s continued success with Fulbright applications reflects the academic strengths, passions, and ambitions of our students,” says director of fellowships and awards Danielle Abdon. “But this success also demonstrates the college’s unwavering administrative support for fellowships and experiential co-curricular opportunities through the Center for Engaged Liberal Arts. This includes the Office of Undergraduate Research, which enables students interested in conducting faculty-mentored research, and Study Away, which provides international experiences. As a result, Oberlin students develop the skills and expertise needed to be successful Fulbright candidates.”

The Fulbright Program is the federal government's flagship international academic exchange program. Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, advancing knowledge, science, and industry through international exchange and collaboration. Fulbrighters achieve distinction and are recognized as leaders in government, business, science, technology, research, education, and the arts. 

Here are the Oberlin students and alums who won Fulbrights for the 2025-26 academic year:

Julia Cronin ’25 earned a Fulbright study/research award to Denmark, giving the chemistry and environmental studies major an opportunity to conduct research on ice cores and take graduate-level classes.

Ela Dubash ’25 received an English Teaching Assistantship to Armenia.

Ella Erdahl ’25 earned multiple honors, including an English Teaching Assistantship to Colombia, and is currently on a Shansi Fellowship in Indonesia.

Hayden Hill ’24, a history major with minors in Africana studies and comparative American studies, received an English Teaching Assistantship to Bulgaria.

Amelia Huntsman ’25, a Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies major, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Kazakhstan.

Nikki Keating ’25 received an English Teaching Assistantship to Kenya, where she is helping students develop writing skills and teaching them about journalism.

Emma Kim ’25, who double majored in history and Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Kazakhstan.

Yuji Kono ’25 received multiple honors, including an English Teaching Assistantship to Armenia, and is currently a Shansi Fellow in China.

Paris Mercurio ’23, a Shansi Fellow who previously received a Fulbright to the Czech Republic, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Romania. 

Amelia Merithew ’25, a double major in anthropology and biology, received an English Teaching Assistantship to Cameroon.

Alana Metcalf ’22, a psychology major with a minor in East Asian studies, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan.

Walter Moak ’25, a musical studies major and record-setting dual athlete, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Germany.

Lila Agigian Sanchez ’25 received an English Teaching Assistantship to Mexico.

Walter Thomas-Patterson ’25, a double major in Latin American studies and musical studies, earned an English Teaching Assistantship to Ecuador.

Audrey Weber ’24, who triple majored in anthropology, Hispanic studies, and Latin American studies, earned an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Ecuador.

Ani Zakarian ’25, a politics major who also served as the president of Oberlin Student Cooperative Association, earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Armenia. 

About Fulbright

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and partner institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 83 MacArthur Fellows. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org.

To learn more about fellowship opportunities at Oberlin, visit our Center for Engaged Liberal Arts Fellowships and Awards page or make an appointment with Danielle Abdon. Please sign up for any available time or send an email to fellowships@oberlin.edu.