Fulbright Program

Rachel Yoho receives Fulbright Specialist Award

Colleen Rich — Wed, 10 May 2023 14:35:46 +0000

Rachel Yoho receives Fulbright Specialist Award Colleen Rich Wed, 05/10/2023 - 10:35

Rachel Yoho, the anti-racist and inclusive teaching specialist in ��AV’s Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, received a Fulbright Specialist Program award to work with individuals at the University of Galway in Ireland. Yoho, the 25th person at Mason to receive a Fulbright Specialist award, will lay the groundwork on a project surrounding institutional change.

Rachel Yoho. Photo provided

“There are relatively few people who receive this award so it’s such an honor to be a recipient,” said Yoho. “Going to Ireland includes a great immersive cultural component to the project with lots of opportunities to experience and see new things. I’m excited to develop the personal connections, which are an important part of the Fulbright program.”

The Fulbright Specialist Program is a part of the larger Fulbright Program, with the goal for these accomplished people to share their knowledge as part of a larger cultural exchange, to increase global relationships, entrepreneurial opportunity, and make the world a better place. Fulbright Specialist Scholars are matched with an institution in one of 150 countries overseas, partnering with hosts to provide education, support, and thought leadership according to their priorities and goals.

“This project is particularly fruitful because it merges her disciplinary scholarship in public health with her pedagogical work with the Stearns Center,” said Shelley Reid, executive director of engaged teaching in the Stearns Center. “Since the Stearns Center is invested in supporting inclusive excellence among Mason's internationalized faculty and students, we're looking forward to learning from Rachel how efforts to support inclusive teaching are happening in another cultural context.”

Yoho was specifically chosen by the University of Galway to visit based on her expertise in environmental health and social justice. The host institution will facilitate her Fulbright talk, set up individual meetings with faculty and staff, and build ongoing collaborations.

Yoho is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to create connections and potential ongoing collaborations around research, instructional materials, and faculty support. “Both Mason and Galway come from a place of shared values and institutional challenges, and are invested in improving student learning and outcomes,” she said. “We hope to create collaborations around environmental health and approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

After spending two weeks in Ireland, Yoho will return to Mason at the end of May and begin cross-country collaboration on the project. She will have ongoing follow-up reports on the project with the Fulbright committee over the coming months.

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Fulbright Program

Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Strategic Direction

Provost Newsletter

GCH Senior Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz Earns Fulbright Scholarship

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 17 May 2022 18:28:42 +0000

GCH Senior Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz Earns Fulbright Scholarship Mary Cunningham Tue, 05/17/2022 - 14:28

Graduating senior embodies how Mason prepares students to be global leaders

The College of Health and Human Services is proud to congratulate Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz on receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in the Czech Republic. Cabrera-Ortiz graduates in May 2022 with her Bachelor of Science in Global and Community Health.

Each year, a select group of students are chosen from thousands of applicants for this prestigious honor to conduct research, pursue graduate studies, or serve as English Teaching Assistants in one of the 140 countries that partner with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

“The Fulbright experience is a good use of a gap year while I apply to medical school,” said Cabrera-Ortiz. “As a minority student, I always want to go further and pave the way for other students. It’s going to be a good experience because I’ve never been to Europe.”

What Does It Take to Earn a Fulbright?

For her specific program, Cabrera-Ortiz will be working as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at Nursing School Jindrichuv Hradec in the Czech Republic. In addition to exceptional academic performance, Fulbright Scholars are students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a desire to use this experience for the betterment of their communities.

A natural leader, she plans to draw upon her experience as the president of Patriots for Health Assistance, a health care volunteer, and a program organizer of the Honors College Recruitment Team; working at the Athletic and Fitness Center; and being an AVID Tutor and an assistant cross-country coach at a local high school.

“I enjoy working with high schoolers because I remember being in their shoes,” Cabrera-Ortiz said. “Being the individual that can remind students of their potential and be a cheerleader in that regard, supporting their growth.” She plans to use this experience while working with nursing students in the Czech Republic.

Cabrera-Ortiz encourages her peers to take risks and reach outside their comfort zone, “When you come across an opportunity, apply for it, and do not automatically eliminate yourself from the opportunity without even having strived for it.”

Combining Clinical and Community Health

Mason’s Bachelor of Science in Global and Community Health prepares students with the knowledge and understanding of community and public health systems, issues and policies related to health promotion, and health education and disease prevention in populations of all sizes.

After serving in the Czech Republic, Cabrera-Ortiz plans to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. In addition to becoming a physician, Cabrera-Ortiz has a desire to serve her community, and her GCH degree will help her succeed.

“Being a doctor is more than giving a prescription,” she said. Growing up in the Hispanic culture, Cabrera-Ortiz wants to be a role model for the youth in her hometown and work to lessen the health disparities among low socio-economic minorities. “With my childhood experiences, my mission is to use my voice as a provider and advocate for our communities and treat each person as an individual.”

On behalf of the Mason Nation, congratulations to Cabrera-Ortiz on winning the Fulbright and we wish her the best of luck in all future endeavors.