Five Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Graduates Selected for Prestigious Fulbright Awards
Four Additional Students Selected as Alternates
EL PASO, Texas (June 10, 2026) – Five recent graduates of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ have been selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, earning opportunities to teach, serve and conduct research as cultural ambassadors in Taiwan, Spain, the Slovak Republic, Peru and Nepal.
The Fulbright Program is one of the nation's most competitive international exchange initiatives, providing fellowships for research, teaching and graduate study in more than 140 countries. Participants represent the United States abroad while fostering cross-cultural understanding through education and community engagement.
“These outstanding students and recent graduates have been awarded one of the nation’s most prestigious international honors,” said Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ President Heather Wilson. “Their success reflects their hard work, as well as the exceptional educational opportunities and mentorship available at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.”
The 2026 Fulbright recipients include several institutional firsts:
Jaen Ngassa Kemayo
English Teaching Assistant, Taiwan
Jaen Ngassa Kemayo is a current master's student in Public Health and the first Fulbright recipient from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ's College of Health Sciences. Born in Abuja, Nigeria, and raised across multiple countries as a military child, Ngassa Kemayo developed a passion for cross-cultural connection through Mandarin classes in Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ's Professional and Public Programs. He plans to support English learners of all backgrounds before returning to complete his master's degree.
Felipe Martinez
Open Study/Research Award, Peru
Felipe Israel Martinez received a Master of Arts degree in Latin American and Border Studies and is Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s first Fulbright recipient to be placed in Peru. His thesis examined the lived experiences of energy poverty in U.S.-Mexico border cities. His research examines the political economy of the border, informal markets, and the effects of national security policy on borderlands. Martinez has served as an Archer Graduate Fellow, a Research and Policy Fellow at LULAC, and a Latino Texas Policy Center Fellow. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in public policy.
Lesley Rodriguez
English Teaching Assistant, Spain
Lesley Rodriguez is an alumna of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ's master's program in Hispanic linguistics. Driven by a passion for international relations and community building, Rodriguez plans to share El Paso's cultural heritage and traditional folklórico dance with her students abroad. Focused on second-language acquisition and building student confidence, she aims to pursue a career with embassies and nonprofits dedicated to global community engagement after completing her Fulbright.
Mina Tavakoli-Nejad
English Teaching Assistant, Slovak Republic
Mina Tavakoli-Nejad, a May 2026 graduate with a bachelor's degree in international business, is the first Fulbright recipient from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ's Woody L. Hunt College of Business and the first Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ student placed in Slovakia. Raised in the U.S.-Mexico border region, she developed an interest in cultural exchange and conducted undergraduate research on international outcomes and domestic stock prices. Tavakoli-Nejad plans to pursue a Ph.D. and build a career in global education and international research.
Ashley Vargas
English Teaching Assistant, Nepal
Ashley Vargas, who earned her master's degree in applied linguistics from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ in 2024, is the University's first-ever Fulbright recipient placed in Nepal. Currently teaching English language learners at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ and El Paso Community College while serving as a grants and scholarships administrator at a local nonprofit, Vargas is driven by a commitment to reaching underserved communities. After her Fulbright, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree focused on language teaching in challenging environments.
In addition to the five award recipients, four Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ students were selected as Fulbright alternates, a distinction that places them in consideration should additional awards become available. The alternates are Kyalani Butler (South Korea), Carlos Castro (Spain), Frida Terrazas-Holguin (Argentina) and Sophia Villalobos (Taiwan).
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ has significantly increased the number of students applying for and being awarded Fulbright honors over the past five years. In 2022 and again in 2024, Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ was honored by the U.S. Secretary of State for the quality of its Fulbright program.
Current students and recent graduates interested in applying for future Fulbright opportunities are encouraged to contact Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Office of Student Fellowships and Awards at studentfellowships@utep.edu.
Applicants seeking Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ endorsement are strongly encouraged to participate in the university’s Fulbright Boot Camp advising program, offered virtually from July through mid-August to help candidates prepare competitive applications.
Last Updated on June 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM | Originally published June 10, 2026
By MC Staff Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Marketing and Communications
