Two Honors Students, One Recent Alum Receive Fulbright Awards

By Sarah Klotz & William Lineberry

Ishaan Nandwani, Vineeth Vaidyula and Leslie Pyo headshotsTwo Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College students and one recent alum have been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2023-24 academic year, one of the most competitive scholarships in the United States.  

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the federal government to increase understanding between Americans and the people of other countries. The program operates in more than 140 countries, and more than 2,000 grants are awarded annually to graduating seniors, graduate students and recent alumni. The scholars receive funding to teach English abroad, conduct research, pursue creative projects or study for a graduate degree.

“We are incredibly proud of these VCU scholars. Their uncommon achievements demonstrate VCU’s commitment to the university’s three core values of access, excellence and impact,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at VCU. “We’re also grateful for the faculty and staff members who have supported and mentored these students throughout their academic journey. This year’s award winners represent one of the biggest such groups in the history of our institution, and that is made possible by VCU’s culture of care and our professionals who practice it every day across our campuses.”

We are incredibly proud of these VCU scholars. Their uncommon achievements demonstrate VCU’s commitment to the university’s three core values of access, excellence and impact.

The two Honors students who were named Fulbright recipients are:

  • Ishaan Nandwani (left), a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with dual degrees in biology and Spanish from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will be an English teaching assistant in Colombia.
  • Vineeth Vaidyula (center), a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences, will travel to India for a research grant in medical sciences.

The recent alum who was named a Fulbright recipient is:

  • Leslie Pyo (right), an alum of the Honors College who received a bachelor’s degree in painting and printmaking from the School of the Arts in 2016, will travel to South Korea for a research grant in creative writing.

In total 10 VCU students and recent alums were named recipeints. The Honors College also has two alternatives who still might receive Fulbrights: 

  • Muhammad Babar, a member of the Honors College who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Humanities and Sciences, applied to Uzbekistan for an English teaching assistant award.
  • Xavier Moore, an alum of the Honors College who received dual degrees in chemistry and biology from the College of Humanities and Sciences in 2021, applied to Belgium for a research grant in biology.

Each Fulbright candidate applied with the support and encouragement of the NSO. Current students and recent alumni are encouraged to visit the NSO blog to register for upcoming information sessions. They also can visit the NSO website to learn more about other external funding opportunities and to schedule an appointment with a staff member.