Baruch Alumna Earns Second Fulbright Award

Baruch Alumna Earns Second Fulbright Award

June 11, 2026

When Baruch College alumna Samantha Shokin (MA, Arts Administration '20) arrives in Moldova next spring as a Fulbright recipient, she will realize a goal years in the making.

Shokin was first selected for a Fulbright Award in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted international programs worldwide and prevented her from participating. Rather than letting the chance slip away, she remained committed to the program's mission, reapplied, and earned the prestigious award again.

"I am thrilled to be offered this opportunity once more," Shokin said. "It has been my dream to take part in the Fulbright Program, and I am grateful to the Baruch Office of National & Prestigious Fellowships for supporting me on this journey."

Preserving Jewish Cultural Heritage in Moldova

Through the Fulbright Program, Shokin will study efforts to preserve Jewish-and particularly Yiddish-heritage in Moldova since the country's independence in 1991, examining how communities sustain traditions threatened by demographic and resource challenges.

She is looking forward to "raising awareness of a cultural legacy that is deeply in need of continued safeguarding."

From Fundraising to Public Engagement

Since graduating from Baruch, Shokin has built a multifaceted career spanning fundraising, public programming, marketing, and cultural advocacy at organizations ranging from small nonprofits to major international institutions. She has managed multimillion-dollar grant portfolios and overseen an EU-funded initiative dedicated to protecting Jewish cemeteries across Europe.

In addition to her professional work, she is a writer and musician whose essays on immigrant communities have appeared in Tablet, The Forward, and VICE. Earlier this year, Shokin organized a week-long festival in Richmond, Virginia celebrating Yiddish culture, and plans to share her research findings when she returns from Moldova.

"While I have dedicated my career to building support for Jewish cultural initiatives, I have not yet had an opportunity to conduct fieldwork overseas," she said. "Ultimately, I hope to serve as a bridge between communities, fostering mutual understanding across borders-and Fulbright is a perfect vehicle for that."

Fellowships and Scholarships Advising Support

Baruch students interested in applying for fellowships and scholarships can visit the College's Office of National & Prestigious Fellowships Advising, which guides students through the application process when pursuing awards that support their academic studies.

In addition to the Fulbright, other opportunities available to students include the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship, Gilman International Scholarship, Freeman-ASIA Scholarship, Public Policy International Affairs Fellowship, Schwarzman Scholarship, and many more.