Tennessee Wesleyan University is proud to recognize alumna Stephanie Rocha (’25) for being named a finalist for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, one of the most competitive and respected international exchange programs in the world.

     Rocha advanced through multiple rigorous stages of the Fulbright selection process as a candidate for an English Teaching Assistantship in the Czech Republic. While she was not ultimately selected for the award, reaching finalist status places her among an elite group of applicants nationwide and reflects her academic excellence.

     “Stephanie passed through what is actually the most competitive round,” said Dr. Jack Seitz, TWU’s Fulbright advisor. “It is super competitive, and I am very proud of Stephanie for making it so far.”

     The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers two primary pathways: one focused on research and the other on English teaching assistantships, placing participants in classrooms abroad to support English language instruction while fostering cultural exchange. Rocha applied for the teaching assistantship track

     The selection process consists of three phases. Applicants first undergo a campus-level review or advising process, where faculty and mentors provide guidance and support. Rocha worked closely with a group of TWU faculty members to refine her application. Submissions are then evaluated at the national level in the United States, where applicants compete within their chosen country pool. Only a portion of candidates—approximately 40 percent—advance to finalist status and move on to the final stage. In the last phase, committees in both the United States and the host country collaborate to select recipients, with roughly half of finalists ultimately receiving awards.

     Established by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the program aims to promote mutual understanding between nations through person-to-person diplomacy. Participants engage in cultural exchange by building relationships, contributing to local communities, and sharing aspects of American culture while learning from others.

     Tennessee Wesleyan University is proud to have students such as Stephanie Rocha who represent a love for learning and a forward gaze toward building worldwide connections. Her achievement highlights TWU’s commitment to academic excellence and global engagement.

     TWU anticipates continued student interest in the Fulbright Program, planning to support future applicants in upcoming cycles.