Seven Kenyon graduates have been awarded prestigious Fulbright fellowships, continuing the College’s legacy of success with the international academic exchange program. The College has long been a liberal arts leader in producing Fulbright scholars, and earlier this year it was recognized for the number of applicants it had selected for the 2024-25 student scholar program. Kenyon has received the “top producer” designation 18 times in the past 20 years.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, provides funding for students and young professionals seeking graduate study, advanced research, and teaching opportunities worldwide. Recipients of the coveted fellowship receive grants to serve as English teaching assistants (ETAs) or conduct research abroad.
Here’s a closer look at this year’s Fulbright fellows from the College, who bring a host of practical skills, diverse interests and leadership qualities to their posts.
Jackelyn Gali Samandas ’25
Fulbright Focus: Teaching English in Kazakhstan.
Major: Double major in psychology and Russian language and culture
Extracurriculars: Eastern European Club (which she helped found), Ransom Notes a capella group and First-Generation Low Income Group (FiGLI); studied abroad in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan
Hometown: Chicago area
In Their Own Words: “To whatever capacity I can, I plan on continuing my investigation into mental health services and beliefs about mental health in Qazaqstan (the spelling adopted by the country after switching from the Cyrillic alphabet to the Latin one). I hope to get in contact with local professionals, individuals with lived experiences, and facilitate discussions about mental health with those I'll be getting to know through my ETA duties.”
Keller Bueneman ’25
Fulbright Focus: Conducting public health research in Vietnam, where he will investigate how Western fast food consumption and socioeconomic factors intersect to influence cancer risk
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurriculars: K-STEM peer mentoring, FiGLI, tennis club, Russian teaching assistant and Professor of Biology Wade Powell’s research lab
Hometown: Galena, Ohio
In Their Own Words: “It's a pretty big jump from anything I've done before, but I'm enticed by the challenge. I expect this year to be super transformative as I live in a totally different place and continue learning the language.”
Guagui Vallejos ’25
Fulbright Focus: Teaching English in Galicia, Spain
Major: Double major in international studies and Spanish
Extracurriculars: Adelante (co-president), Snowden Multicultural Center (student co-manager), Student Council (co-vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) and senior admissions fellow
Hometown: Stuart, Florida
In Their Own Words: “I hope that I … am able to share my life experiences of being multicultural (Floridian and Chilean) with the students in Spain. I am also excited to be in some ways returning to the motherland, as my ancestors once left Spain to go to Chile.”
Halle Preneta ’25
Fulbright Focus: Teaching English in Botswana
Major/Minor: English major with a minor in studio art
Extracurriculars: Kenyon Review Associates program
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
In Their Words: “I am really hoping it’ll add to my experience in a positive way and help guide me in my journey to become a children’s librarian after Kenyon. Through teaching language, I hope to bring a positive influence to the lives of children in Botswana.”
Anja Trierweiler ’25
Fulbright Focus: Teaching English in Taiwan
Major/Minor: Chinese major with a minor in German
Extracurriculars: Multicultural Identities Organization (vice president), Kenyon Asian Identities, Chinese teaching assistant and tutor, employee in admissions and the bookstore; studied abroad in Taiwan
Hometown: Washington, D.C., area
In Their Own Words: “I studied abroad in Taiwan during my junior fall (semester) and immediately fell in love. Since then, I planned and hoped to come back, and I’m excited by this opportunity to return.”
Kate Haydel-Brown ’25
Fulbright Focus: Working in the writing center at IT University in Madrid
Major: Double major in Spanish and English with an emphasis in creative writing
Extracurriculars: Rugby club, Spanish language teaching assistant, admissions intern, and bartender at the student-run bar Flats; spent a semester abroad in Chile
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
In Their Own Words: “I’m so excited for my placement and to return to the Spanish-speaking world! I’m looking forward to living in a big city and becoming immersed in my new community.”
Zoe Grayer ’25
Fulbright Focus: Teaching English in southern Italy.
Major/Minor: Art history major with a minor in Italian and history
Extracurriculars: Archon Society, volunteering at Wiggin Street Elementary
Hometown: Hoboken, New Jersey
In Their Own Words: “I was crouching on the floor, looking at my computer, when I saw the acceptance letter. I fell onto the floor and then called my friends and family!
Student Fulbright programs are supported at Kenyon through the Office of Academic Advising and Support and the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships.