George Mason achieves “Top Producing Institution” status from Fulbright Scholars program

The U.S. Department of State has named George Mason University a “Top Producing Institution” of Fulbright U.S. Scholars in 2024-25. The university has more Fulbrights this academic year—eight—than in any year in its history.

The “top-producing” designation reflects George Mason’s “deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Weinhold said in a letter informing the university of the honor. 

The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946 to increase understanding between people in the United States and 160 countries through academic and cultural exchange. You can find the complete list of 2024-25 Fulbright “Top Producing Institutions” here.  

The eight honorees this year come from seven George Mason schools and colleges: Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera (Schar School), Carolyn Drews-Botsch (College of Public Health), Amy Fowler (College of Science), Chawky Frenn (Center of Visual and Performing Arts), David J. Gerleman (College of Humanities and Social Sciences), Jennifer Leeman (CHSS), Linda J. Mann (Carter School) and Risto Marttinen (College of Education and Human Development). Frenn also was honored as a Fulbright in 2017-18. 

These faculty members are sharing and growing their expertise in Hungary, Ireland, Finland, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain.  

“This recognition is all about the excellence and dedication of George Mason’s faculty,” said Provost James Antony. “Earning a record number of Fulbright awards in a single year speaks to the incredible work our scholars are doing—not just in their research, but in connecting with colleagues around the world, exchanging ideas, and bringing new perspectives back to our students. That’s what makes George Mason special: a faculty committed to making an impact, here at home and across the globe.” 

Of George Mason’s 103 Fulbrights, according to the Fulbright Scholar Directory, 27 have come in the past seven years. The previous high for Fulbrights in a year for George Mason was five in 1994-95. George Mason’s first Fulbright was history professor Ernest Cassara in 1975-76, who taught at the University of Munich. 

George Mason has hosted 98 Fulbrights, according to the organization’s website, including six this academic year.