Although the 深夜看片's five 2026 recipients are headed to destinations across the globe, they share a common goal: to build meaningful connections while exchanging knowledge and culture.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers awards to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Through teaching, research, and graduate study opportunities, participants promote mutual understanding between the United States and communities around the world.
Over the last decade, USF has produced 61 Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients. This year, two USF recipients will help students develop English-language skills, while the other three will preserve the histories of journalists, examine how public initiatives influence behavior, and study how global health systems serve communities. USF鈥檚 2026 recipients will spend the coming academic year in Taiwan, Spain, Sri Lanka, India, and Turkey as part of a global Fulbright network that spans more than 140 partner countries.
2026 USF Fulbright Student Recipient Profiles
Afreen Khan, Graduate Study 鈥 Turkey
A recent graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and Judy Genshaft Honors College, Afreen Khan has completed undergraduate degrees in biomedical sciences and psychology. She will undertake a graduate degree program in Turkey at Koc University for an MSc in Global Health. Afterward, she plans to pursue a career as a physician at the intersection of global health, education, and social impact.
Janaki Menon, Research 鈥 India
Janaki Menon graduated in May 2026 with an undergraduate degree in public health. She will undertake a research project in India focused on evaluating the long-term impact of the Kochi Intervention for Tobacco Smoke-Free Homes in the city of Kerala. Her project will assess sustained reductions in household secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and examine emerging health challenges among participating families. Menon's goal is to generate insights for designing culturally responsive, scalable interventions that reduce SHS exposure in vulnerable populations.
Elisabeth Parker, Research 鈥 Sri Lanka
Elisabeth Parker graduated from USF鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences in 2024 with an MFA in Creative Writing. She will undertake a research project in Sri Lanka focused on recording oral histories with the families, colleagues, and communities of at least ten Tamil and Sinhalese journalists assassinated between 1983 and 2013. Parker chose Sri Lanka as the country for this research project to document what she refers to as "what was lost and what endures: how memory is kept, how grief shapes trust, and how impunity changes the profession.鈥 The project pairs field reporting with trauma-informed oral history. By centering local leadership and creating avenues for cross-publication in Sri Lanka and the United States, Parker's research aims to advance mutual understanding and preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
Lizt Pena, English Teaching Assistantship 鈥 Spain
Lizt Pena graduated in May 2026 with an undergraduate degree in psychology from the USF College of Arts and Sciences and Honors distinction from the Judy Genshaft Honors College. She will undertake a teaching assistantship in Galicia, Spain. Pena looks forward to teaching English in Spain because of the country鈥檚 culture, education system, and her own linguistic experience in Spanish.
May Spinney, English Teaching Assistantship 鈥 Taiwan
May Spinney graduated from USF as a member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College in
May 2026 with an undergraduate degree in international studies from the College of
Arts and Sciences. She was awarded a teaching assistantship to teach English in a
rural area of Taiwan: the Kinmen islands.
Spinney chose Taiwan because she wanted an opportunity to strengthen connections between
the United States and Taiwan. The experience builds on her previous academic and extracurricular
pursuits, complements her studies of Chinese language and culture, and supports her
long-term goal of becoming a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State.
2026 USF Fulbright Medal Ceremony
Before traveling abroad each year, USF Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients are honored with a commemorative medallion. On June 11, USF World, the Judy Genshaft Honors College, and the USF Office of National Scholars came together to celebrate this year鈥檚 recipients and present the medallions, which feature a green-and-gold ribbon and an image of the globe. The tradition highlights USF鈥檚 commitment to international exchange and global engagement.
Vice President of USF World Kiki Caruson congratulates the recipients at the USF Fulbright Medal Ceremony.
Vice President of USF World Dr. Kiki Caruson and Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean Dr. Charles Adams presented the medallions as Lauren Chambers, the Office of National Scholars鈥 Fulbright Program adviser, shared brief stories about each recipient鈥檚 Fulbright journey. In her role, Chambers guides students through every stage of the application process.
As Adams congratulated the recipients, he reflected on his own Fulbright experience and the lasting impact it had on his career and personal growth.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be one of the most impactful years of your life, no matter where you go or what you鈥檙e doing there,鈥 he said.
Caruson encouraged the students to embrace the relationships they will build during their time abroad.
鈥淭he location is really the backdrop for the connections you鈥檒l make and your experience there,鈥 she said.
The recipients also heard from USF Faculty Fulbright Advisor Darlene DeMarie who encouraged them to join the Fulbright Alumni Association to continue their engagement with a global network of scholars, researchers, and educators after completing their Fulbright period.
Students interested in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program should contact the Office of National Scholars.