12 Villanovans Awarded Prestigious Fulbright US Student Grants for 2026-27

Villanova celebrates 12 grant recipients, 9 alternates and 42 semi-finalists-including an additional two awardees of the Fulbright English Teaching Flagship Award to Taiwan

VILLANOVA, PA. (June 16, 2026) - 12 Villanova University students and alumni have been selected to receive Fulbright U.S. Student Grants for the 2026-27 academic year, one of the most prestigious international academic exchange opportunities awarded by the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. In addition to the 12 grantees, nine Villanovans were named alternates and a total of 42 were recognized as semi-finalists. Two students were awarded the competitive Fulbright English Teaching Flagship Award to Taiwan, highlighting Villanova's global reach and commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding through education.

The Fulbright Program-the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange initiative-offers students and graduates grants to conduct research, pursue graduate study or teach English abroad. Villanova has consistently ranked among the nation's top producers of Fulbright U.S. Students, as recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education, with over 200 Villanovans having earned Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards since 2016.

"As reflected in this year's Fulbright cohort, Villanova students and alumni continue to distinguish themselves through their intellectual curiosity, commitment to service and willingness to engage the world with humility and purpose," said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. "Whether through teaching, research or graduate study abroad, these Villanovans are building bridges across cultures and disciplines while deepening their understanding of global challenges. We are proud of their accomplishments and confident they will represent the University with distinction in their host communities and beyond."

Through immersive, on-the-ground experiences, Fulbright grantees build mutual understanding between the U.S. and their host countries-teaching, conducting research and sharing in the day-to-day life of their communities. These experiences foster respect, empathy and a global perspective-cornerstones of the Fulbright mission.

The Fulbright competition at Villanova is open to all current undergraduate, graduate, professional students and alumni, and is administered by the University's Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF). Students and alumni create an application for the fellowship program under the direction of the CRF team-which provides both one-on-one consultations and group support throughout the application process, including conceptualization of projects, writing and revising proposals, and interview preparation and practice.

Villanova students and alumni interested in applying for external awards, including the Fulbright, should visit the CRF website for more information.

Mikaela Anthony '26 CLAS, of Swampscott, Mass., graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science, Honors, in Environmental Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Ethics. During her time at Villanova, she conducted research on the distribution and drivers of riverine anthropogenic litter, served as captain of the Ethics Bowl team and participated in a variety of service opportunities, including a spring break Social Justice Experience with Habitat for Humanity in South Carolina. Anthony's experiences as a tutor through Villanova's RUIBAL program, and as an undergraduate teaching assistant, sparked a passion for teaching and mentorship that she looks forward to continuing as an English Teaching Assistant through the Fulbright Program in North Macedonia. Following her Fulbright year, Anthony plans to attend Columbia Law School and pursue a career in environmental law and advocacy.

Nick Ashenfelter '26 MS, of St. Mary's County, Md., graduated with a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology. During his time at Villanova, he worked with faculty Patrick Markey, PhD and Caitlyn Yantis, PhD, on research projects exploring romantic expectations and political polarization. Inspired by Romania's unique political climate, Ashenfelter applied to the Fulbright Program to serve as an English Teaching Assistant and gain experience educating undergraduate students while learning more about life in Eastern Europe. Following his Fulbright experience, Ashenfelter plans to pursue a PhD in social psychology.

Margaux Barrett '26 CLAS, of Dresher, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Psychology. During her time at Villanova University, she was a Presidential Scholar, president of Villanova's literary and art magazine Ellipsis and a radio station host for WXVU 89.1: The Roar. Barrett also served as a research assistant for Chris Jeffords, PhD, and Jennifer Santoro, PhD, in their study on science communication, "Science on Tap: Pouring Knowledge into the Local Community," and was a member of the eye-tracking attention lab, led by Suzanne Gray, PhD, and sleep perception lab, led by Irene Kan, PhD. She ultimately declined the Fulbright award to pursue a master's degree in neuroscience at the University of St Andrews in Scotland after receiving the St Andrew's Society of Philadelphia Scholarship.

Emily Curran '26 COE, of Jamison, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and minors in Computer Science and Business. During her time at Villanova, she served as president of the student chapters of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers organizing events including the Order of the Engineer Ceremony and speaking on panels focused on empowering women in STEM fields. Curran is also passionate about mentoring high school girls in the Philadelphia area and encouraging them to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through the Fulbright Program, she will pursue a master's degree in Global Management of Innovation and Technology at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology before returning to the U.S. to build a career in the energy industry.

Dominica Delayo '26 VSB, of Scranton, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and International Business with minors in Mathematics, Spanish Studies and Theatre. During her time at Villanova, she participated in Villanova Student Theatre, Special Olympics, Orientation, Blue Key and NOVAdance. In April 2026, she received the Bartley Medallion for Excellence in International Business. Delayo was inspired to apply for the Fulbright Program after a transformative study abroad experience at the University of Cambridge during her sophomore year. She looks forward to applying her Spanish language skills during her time as an English Teaching Assistant in Madrid, Spain. Following her Fulbright experience, Delayo plans to pursue a career in the business of the entertainment industry.

Jocelyn Zavala Garcia '26 FCN, of Claymont, Del., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During her time at Villanova, she provided health care services and education to sugarcane farmworkers in the Dominican Republic and worked as a Spanish medical interpreter for migrant farmworkers and their children in Georgia. As a nursing research assistant, her studies focused on environmental health, maternal health and farmworker populations, resulting in publications as both a first author and co-author in peer-reviewed journals. Zavala Garcia also served as a tutor and 3D art teacher for a nonprofit organization focused on empowering the Latinx community. Through the Fulbright Program, she will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain before pursuing a career in pediatric nursing and continuing her education through master's and doctoral studies.

Gabriella Giuliano '26 CLAS, of Narragansett, R.I., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Political Science and minors in History and Arab and Islamic Studies. During her time at Villanova, she served as a class senator in student government and studied abroad in Prague through Villanova's Literature and Politics course, an experience that sparked her interest in international opportunities. Inspired by her mother, an ESL teacher, Giuliano tutored students in an ESOL classroom in Philadelphia through Community Outreach of Villanova, deepening her interest in English language education. She also worked as an interpreter in the Villanova Law School clinic, where she saw firsthand the importance of language access. Through the Fulbright Program, she will spend the coming year in Spain, contributing to the local community while continuing her professional and personal development. Following her Fulbright experience, Giuliano plans to attend law school.

Fabiano Moscoso '25 COE, of Lancaster, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Originally from Arequipa, Peru, he moved to the U.S. at age 14, an experience that has shaped his ability to connect with students across cultures and languages. During his time at Villanova, Moscoso was a Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellow and helped co-found First Generation Villanovans and the Philosophy Club. He also served as a team leader for the Villanova Engineering Service Learning program, leading renewable energy projects in Peru, and completed additional service work in Madagascar. He is a recipient of the Freeman-Asia Scholarship, which supported humanitarian engineering work abroad, including a summer in Cambodia, and he presented at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference on wind energy solutions and community impact in Peru. Through the Fulbright Program, Moscoso will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea, where he will teach STEM-integrated English lessons and support cultural exchange programming. Following his Fulbright experience, he plans to pursue graduate studies in electrical engineering.

Dally Perez Lantigua '25 COE, of Philadelphia, Pa., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a minor in Sustainability Studies. During her time at Villanova, she participated in the Villanova Engineering Service Learning program, contributing to projects in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Madagascar and Panama, and worked on a senior design project to develop a gravity-fed water distribution system for a community of 9,000 people in Eastern Uganda. Perez Lantigua also gave back as a four-year undergraduate volunteer with the Villanova Engineering, Science and Technology Enrichment and Development (VESTED) program-the same program she had attended in high school, which inspired her to pursue engineering at Villanova Following graduation. She worked as a civil designer at a municipal engineering firm in Bucks County, Pa. Perez will continue her studies in Finland through the Fulbright Program, pursuing a master's degree in Sustainability Science and Solutions at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

Nick Ricardo '26 CLAS, of New York, N.Y., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies. During his time at Villanova, he studied abroad in Athens, where he developed an interest in Byzantine history, and in London through Villanova's Early Years' Experience program, where he interned at the Middle Temple Library. Ricardo also was an intern at the Maryland State Archives with support from the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest. This summer, he will attend the University of Chicago Intensive Intermediate Greek program in preparation for his Fulbright Program Open Study/Research Award in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he will study Bulgarian and Byzantine history of the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Following his Fulbright experience, Ricardo plans to pursue a master's degree in medieval studies at Fordham University.

Savie Seebald '26 CLAS, of Washington, D.C., graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History and a minor in Peace and Justice. During her time at Villanova, she was a four-year member of the women's tennis team, served as a student senator and was actively involved in leadership and service initiatives across campus, including as a McNulty Ambassador, and with both POWER and Villanova's Community Outreach programs. Seebald also studied abroad in Prague, which further shaped her commitment to leadership, service and building more inclusive communities. Inspired by her personal connection to Thailand, her birth country, she applied to the Fulbright Program to serve as an English Teaching Assistant and engage in cross-cultural education and community building. Following her Fulbright experience in Thailand, Seebald plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service and advocacy.

2026-27 English Teaching Flagship Fellows:

Arthur Martin '26 CLAS, of Jefferson, La., graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minors in Cognitive Science, French and Francophone Studies and Global Health. During his time at Villanova, he was a member of the Posse Foundation Leadership Scholarship program and worked as an administrative assistant for the Humanity Preservation Foundation's Recovery Your Way Program. Martin also served as a mentor for the Smile Program at the University of Pennsylvania, supporting older adults experiencing neurodegenerative illnesses, and was a peer mentor in the Villanova Leadership Program for three years. He also participated in Service and Justice Experience trips with Habitat for Humanity in South Carolina and New Mexico. Those experiences, combined with his Global Health studies, inspired him to apply for the Fulbright English Teaching Flagship Award in Taiwan. Following his time in Taiwan, Martin plans to pursue a dual Psy.D./M.P.H. graduate program, combining clinical psychology and public health to address global disparities in mental and physical health care.

About the Fulbright Program: Since its establishment in 1946, the program has given more than 390,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbrighters address critical global challenges in all disciplines while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States and the world. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 59 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 84 who have received Pulitzer Prizes and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University's Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges-the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation's top universities, Villanova supports its students' intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit our website.