Texas Tech University

Fulbright awarded to OIA staff members

The Fulbright program is a prestigious academic exchange program designed to expand and strengthen relationships and promote international understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations. Dr. Richard Porter, Director of International Student and Scholar Services and Dr. Joan Goodman-Williamson, Executive-Director of International Relations were awarded two of these highly competitive awards. Dr. Porter will be participating in the U.S.-Taiwan International Education Administrators Program and Dr. Goodman-Williamson will be participating in the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Program.

These two week seminars in Taiwan and India are designed to familiarize U.S. international education administrators with the higher education system, society and culture in these countries. They will consist of briefings, campus visits, appointments with select government officials, cultural activities and meetings with peer international education professionals.

Richard Porter

“I am very excited about visiting Taiwan to learn about the culture and about the higher education system there. I have had multiple opportunities over the years to visit China but have only visited Taiwan once for a couple of days. That short visit sparked great interest and was the reason I applied for this award. Taiwan is a stable democratic state with a powerful economy and a large number of prestigious higher education institutions. I believe that there are many wonderful unexplored opportunities for TTU in Taiwan and I look forward to visiting the great institutions on our itinerary. I am also looking forward to visiting a couple of institutions that TTU already has active partnerships with, after the seminar, to strengthen those ties. I am honored to represent TTU during this seminar.”

- Dr. Richard Porter, Director of International Student and Scholar Services

Dr. Joan Goodman-Williamson

“I am honored to have been accepted to the Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Program. The program is about opportunity – the opportunity that comes through connecting people and possibility. We have a large number of students, staff and faculty from India and the chance to learn more about their culture, heritage and educational system is exciting. The human impulse that led to the creation of and now infuses our international campus represents the very best of what we, as global citizens, can be. The sharing of academic practices can remind us that creativity, resourcefulness, and common purpose defy borders and that with perseverance and inspiration, we can find and create opportunity.”

- Dr. Joan Goodman-Williamson, Executive-Director of International Relations