Middlebury among Top Producers of Fulbrights for 15th Straight Year
Middlebury College has been named to the Fulbright Top Producing Institutions list for the 15th consecutive year by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Program.
Nine students and alumni were selected for Fulbright awards for the 2024–2025 academic year, placing Middlebury among the top 13 baccalaureate degree granting institutions for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Lisa Gates, associate dean for fellowships, said the experience of graduating students and young alumni conducting research, pursuing graduate studies, and teaching English around the world has been invaluable both personally and professionally.
“It’s exciting to see so many Middlebury graduates embracing this opportunity,” said Gates, who has been supporting Fulbright applicants through the Office of Fellowships at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research since 2008. “Fulbright has been building mutual understanding between young Americans and citizens of other countries for almost 80 years and we are proud to be a strong supporter of the program.”
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized a total of 130 institutions as Top Producers to the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs for 2024-2025.
Claire Babbott-Bryan ’23 has been teaching English at UTVAM (Universidad Tecnológica de Valle de México) and conducting research on how water scarcity in neighborhoods surrounding Mexico City fuels both conflict and collaboration. She is developing an interactive map that integrates photography, interviews, and soundscapes to illustrate how water access shapes daily life.
“Teaching English has been about so much more than language—it’s been an opportunity to engage in cultural exchange at its best,” said Babbott-Bryan, who also works with a student-led club focused on local restoration projects and environmental issues. “Beyond teaching, I am continually inspired by the strength and resistance I encounter every day.”
Elizabeth (Ellie) Suit ’24 is conducting research in Belgium as part of the Theory of Quantum and Complex Systems group at the University of Antwerp in support of their work in ultracold atomic physics.
“I feel fortunate to be welcomed into my community here in Antwerp and the opportunity from Fulbright to be a part of creating a mutual understanding between Belgium and the U.S., ” said Suit. “As a scientific researcher, I am also excited about the chance to create these connections to spark future international collaborations motivated towards developing new theories and understandings of quantum physics.”
The Fulbright program has produced 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and other leaders focused on building strong connections between the United States and other countries.
The Following is a list of Middlebury’s 2024-2025 recipients. See also their Project descriptions:
Sydney Armor ’24: Austria
Claire Babbott-Bryan ’23: Mexico
Sophia Bardetti ’22: Morocco
Olivia Dixon ’24: Spain
Demetra (Alex) Evangelidis ’24: Germany
Edwin Fan ’24: Vietnam
Alexandra (Lexie) Massa ’21: Mexico
Ellie Suit ’24: Belgium
Kenta Togo ’23: Costa Rica