UCLA has been recognized as one of the top 31 universities in the United States for producing student Fulbright awardees for the 2025–26 academic year. Twelve students and recent graduates from UCLA were selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which funds participants to teach or conduct research in over 140 countries.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946 and funded primarily by the U.S. Department of State, aims to foster international academic and professional exchanges that encourage mutual understanding between Americans and people worldwide. Since its inception, more than 400,000 individuals have participated in the program.
Currently, six UCLA awardees are participating in placements across several countries, including Spain, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, and Kenya.
Laila Wheeler is among those currently abroad on a Fulbright grant. She graduated from UCLA in June 2025 with degrees in public affairs, education, and sociology. While at UCLA, Wheeler was active as an opinion editor for the Daily Bruin and engaged in research on racism and maternal health within Black communities. She also mentored high school students preparing for college and worked on human rights initiatives in Ghana and South Africa.
“My interactions with diverse communities at UCLA and beyond shaped my worldview and interest to explore educational spaces globally,” said Wheeler. She is now teaching English in Kenya through her Fulbright placement.
Cindy Fan, vice provost for international studies and global engagement at UCLA, commented on the significance of programs like Fulbright for the university’s broader mission: “The late U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright once said, ‘The essence of intercultural education is the acquisition of empathy — the ability to see the world as others see it.’ UCLA is grateful to the Fulbright Program for creating opportunities for our students, alumni and faculty to deepen global connections, which advance their research, education and professional development, as well as strengthen UCLA’s engagement with the global city of Los Angeles.”
Among this year’s participants:
– Serena Gill earned a degree in molecular biology from UCLA in June 2025. She now teaches English to students in Galicia, Spain.
– Emma Montilla graduated with a degree in applied linguistics after conducting language acquisition research at UCLA. She currently teaches English at rural schools in Taiwan.
– Gabriel Portilla completed their sociology degree magna cum laude while studying German at UCLA; they now teach English at a secondary school in Berlin.
– Michael Suh holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from UCLA; he teaches English in Yilan County, Taiwan.
– Laurel Thomas graduated from UCLA with an environmental science major before moving on to graduate studies at University of British Columbia through her Fulbright study/research grant.
Through these placements around the world—ranging from teaching roles to environmental research—UCLA’s involvement with the Fulbright Program continues to expand its international presence while supporting students’ academic growth.