Two CSBS Political Science Students Recognized by Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The College of Social and Behavioral Science is proud to announce that two students from the Department of Political Science have been recognized by the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the upcoming academic year.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program facilitates academic exchanges between the U.S. and more than 140 countries. Selected participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or serve as English teaching assistants abroad. Learn more at us.fulbrightonline.org.

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Ashton Pelley, an Honors B.A. student in Political Science, was selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain. Pelley, who graduated in Spring 2025, also majored in International Studies and Spanish through the College of Humanities. Her interest in global affairs, commitment to language equity, and experience with English language acquisition and advocacy uniquely position her for this role abroad.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have received a Fulbright to teach English in Spain next academic year," said Pelley. "I’m excited to create an engaging, inclusive classroom environment that supports language learning and cultural exchange. This opportunity will allow me to grow alongside my students and gain a richer understanding of Spanish culture and pedagogy.”

During her time at the U, Pelley was awarded the Eccles Distinguished Scholarship from the Honors College, an honor that provides four years of full funding through support from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

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Neida Munguia, who graduated in 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science from CSBS and a B.A. in International Studies from the College of Humanities, was named a Fulbright alternate for an English Teaching Assistantship in South Korea.

“As a first-time applicant for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, I am very proud of being selected as an alternate," said Munguia. "It's a tough applicant pool, so it’s gratifying to know my work and studies made me a competitive candidate. This has pushed me to apply to similar programs, and I am excited for what the future holds.”

 

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We celebrate Ashton and Neida for their outstanding achievements and thank the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships for supporting student applicants across campus.

Applications are open for the 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. U's internal deadline is Aug. 22, 2025, and Fulbright’s national deadline is Oct. 7, 2025. Learn more about the application process and how to develop a competitive application by visiting the ONCS website or contact Alison Shimko, the U's Fulbright Program advisor and the associate director of ONCS.