By Sarah Peters, director of communications for the provost at Rice University
Fulbright Foreign Student Program participants are distinguished by their academic excellence and leadership. The Fulbright program is a bi-national exchange in which graduate students work toward their degrees in the U.S. before returning to their home countries. The U.S.-Mexico Commission for Educational Exchange (COMEXUS), the Fulbright Commission in Mexico, supports fieldwork and research relevant to U.S.-Mexico relations. Master’s and doctoral students are eligible.
“The Consulate General of Mexico in Houston recognizes that Mexican Fulbright scholarship beneficiaries at Rice University constitute a key element in promoting cross-cultural comprehension,” said Consul General of Mexico in Houston María Elena Orantes López. “Their success stories help strengthen a sense of community among the Mexican nationals who have chosen Houston to be their home. There is no doubt that attending Rice University’s prestigious programs will also contribute to the development of our country.”
“Rice is honored to be a top choice for Fulbright recipients not only from Mexico but from throughout Latin America,” said Seiichi Matsuda, dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies. “Our talented Fulbrighters have built a strong sense of community that lasts well beyond their studies here, and Rice supports them to provide a rich cultural experience that only Houston can offer.”
Rafael Tinajero Ayala González Arce, José David Barrón Suárez, Julieta Nava Granados, Brandon García Perez, Seiichi Matsuda, Alan Salceda Monge and Eugenio Álvarez Pasquel pose for a photo at a Fulbright reception in Mexico in June. Fulbright recipient Alejandro Fuentes Beltrán is not pictured.
The incoming Fulbright students include Rafael Tinajero Ayala González Arce (master’s in data science), Alejandro Fuentes Beltrán (Ph.D. in chemistry), Julieta Nava Granados (Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering), Alan Salceda Monge (master’s in engineering management and leadership), Eugenio Álvarez Pasquel (Ph.D. in chemistry), Brandon García Perez (master’s in energy economics) and José David Barrón Suárez (master’s in engineering management and leadership).
García said when he first came to Rice to attend the School of Social Science’s Statistical Training and Research Techniques program, he was amazed by the warm welcome he received from current students, professors, Fulbright@Rice and the whole community in Houston.
“Rice can be defined with four words: friendly and intellectually challenging,” García said. “I chose the Master of Energy Economics as I wanted to combine my previous experience in academia with exposure to the energy industry. Choosing Rice has been the best decision I’ve taken in my career.”
Nava said she chose Rice because she always felt welcomed and supported, especially by the Fulbright and Latin community.
“Rice’s balance between academic rigor and a nurturing environment will allow me to succeed in my studies and career,” she said. “All of this has the added advantage that it is close to home.”
Students from 27 nations are represented in the Fulbright@Rice community, Matsuda said. Rice has become a destination of choice for students from Latin America with a growing number of students from Europe, Asia and Africa. This year Rice will welcome its first Fulbright student from Zimbabwe.
Rice provides a robust cultural experience for Fulbright students with regular community lunches and uniquely Houston-themed field trips, including visits to Space Center Houston and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Matsuda said.
Matsuda was invited to represent Rice when the Fulbright awards were presented at a reception in Mexico. The event was hosted by Hazel Blackmore, executive director of COMEXUS; Ken Salazar, U.S. ambassador to Mexico; Silvio González, minister counselor for public diplomacy at the United States Embassy in Mexico; Roberto Velasco, head of the North American Unit of the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs; Jorge Tlatelpa, director general of educational policy, best practices and cooperation of the Secretariat for Public Education; and Paloma Palacios, representative of the Government of Querétaro in Mexico City.