UF Prestigious Awards Team Participates in NAFSA 2026

On Thursday, May 28, Dr. Samesha Barnes Ivey and Hanna Clark of the Office of Prestigious Awards (OPA) proudly represented the University of Florida at a training for Fulbright Program Advisors during the NAFSA Association of International Educators 2026 Annual Conference & Expo in Orlando.

As part of the training, Dr. Barnes Ivey, Director of OPA, was invited to serve on a national panel discussion titled "Defining and Achieving Success for Your Campus." Joining two experienced Fulbright Program Advisors from peer institutions, she shared perspectives on developing and expanding campus support for Fulbright applicants. As one of the newest advisers on the panel, Dr. Barnes Ivey discussed strategies to increase campus awareness, create scalable student support resources, and establish partnerships that strengthen student engagement with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

The training provided valuable opportunities to engage with senior Fulbright program leaders as well as Fulbright Commission directors and staff from around the world.

Through panel discussions and interactive roundtables, participants exchanged ideas about country-specific opportunities, emerging priorities, and best practices for preparing successful applicants.

The event concluded with a special reception celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program and the 250th anniversary of the United States, recognizing Fulbright's longstanding role in advancing international educational exchange and mutual understanding across cultures.

Students interested in applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program can contact prestigiousawards@aa.ufl.edu for more information.