Drew Cain '24

Celebrating �԰��’s Recent Fulbright Students and Scholars

kleisk — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:41:39 +0000

Celebrating �԰��’s Recent Fulbright Students and Scholars kleisk Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Celebrating �԰��’s Recent Fulbright Students and Scholars

Recognizing the exceptional Fulbright achievements of �԰��'s faculty and alumni

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Ever wondered what it’s like to teach English in Spain, or study ancient Greek literature in Athens? �԰��’s Fulbright students and scholars have done all this and more!

The Fulbright Program offers incredible opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni at universities across the United States to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in new cultures and make long-lasting connections with individuals around the world.

Here at �԰��, we have a supportive community to help guide you through the application process. Whether you are a student or a faculty member, �԰�� is here to help you achieve your Fulbright dreams. Meet six of our recent Fulbright students and scholars, along with �԰��'s Fulbright Program adviser, and see how their experiences have shaped their academic and professional journeys.

Jenny Browne, MFA | Northern Ireland

Jenny Browne is returning to Northern Ireland for a second Fulbright Scholarship, receiving the 2023-24 Fulbright-Queens University Belfast Scholar Award in Irish Literature. Her project, "The Habit of Looking: A Survey of Northern Irish Ekphrasis" focuses on developing research, writing, and community engagement components in the context of Northern Irish poetry.

The project includes a comprehensive archive analysis of ekphrastic poems—poems written about other art forms—and a comparative critical essay exploring the shifts in intention and positionality between contemporary poets and Northern Irish poets during “The Troubles,” a decades-long series of ethno-nationalist conflicts between British loyalists and Irish nationalists in Northern Ireland.

Browne’s first Fulbright experience in Northern Ireland was interrupted by COVID-19, leaving some of her work incomplete. However, her connections and collaborations continued virtually, leading to projects such as a short film and a long poem based on a painting in the Ulster Museum. These ongoing projects prompted her to reapply for the Fulbright and continue her work there. Browne is excited to exhibit a visual erasure and collage sequence inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses at the Museum of Literature in Dublin this fall.

Browne highlights the importance of welcoming new experiences, whether they involve trying different things or traveling somewhere you’ve never been to. Browne believes such opportunities broaden our perspectives and encourage us to engage more actively with the world around us. “I think anytime you have the opportunity to step outside of your own habits and patterns, whether exploring a new discipline or a new geographic place, you open yourself up to a more active state of both response and imagination,” said Browne. Among her most memorable experiences, she recalls having coffee with Van Morrison, one of Belfast’s most famous artists and one of her musical heroes. She also enjoyed exploring Northern Ireland’s incredible landscapes by foot, bike, and boat.

Immersed in Ireland’s literary tradition, she found joy in collaborating with local poets and scholars, even beginning a new hybrid poetry and prose book set in Belfast. This year, she is introducing a new Beyond the Classroom course titled "Writing (in) Place," which includes a two-week study abroad trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Browne’s time in Northern Ireland has profoundly shaped her teaching at �԰��, allowing her to bring back new perspectives and experiences to share with her students.

Jorge Colazo, Ph.D. | Colombia

Jorge Colazo received a faculty Fulbright Scholarship to teach at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) in Bucaramanga, Colombia. There, he trained faculty on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a method that Colazo had previously taught at �԰��. COIL connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions. Colazo also led masterclasses for Master of Business Administration and industrial engineering students during his time at UIS.

Colazo’s Fulbright experience has opened doors for potential joint research projects and further exchanges between faculty and students from both UIS and �԰��. He believes that international experiences like the Fulbright program significantly enhance one’s personal, teaching, and research skills.

“Still, I believe that every international experience adds to your skills as a person, teacher and researcher, and I wish all students and faculty at �԰�� could take advantage of opportunities such as the various Fulbright programs available,” Colazo says.

Colazo serves as the associate dean at the Michael Neidorff School of Business, where he is also an associate professor teaching courses in the new minor in supply chain management. His background and experience in chemical engineering and operations management made him a sought-after consultant for companies such as Exxon, Toyota, and Unilever.

Jason Johnson, Ph.D. | Germany | �԰��'s Fulbright Program Adviser

As �԰��'s Fulbright program adviser, Jason Johnson is crucial in guiding �԰�� students through the Fulbright application process. With the help of Gina Pham and Sabrina Cortez from the Center for International Engagement, as well as co-advisor Jenny Browne from the English department, Johnson recruits students to apply for Fulbright scholarships in the fall of their senior year. He meets with applicants, advises them on their applications, provides feedback, organizes the campus interview process, and completes written assessments of their applications.

Johnson received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Berlin during graduate school. He wrote his dissertation on a small village in Germany called Mödlareuth, which was divided by the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. The northern portion of the village was situated in East Germany, while the southern portion was situated in West Germany.

Recognizing the highly competitive nature of Fulbright, Johnson highlighted the importance of applicants being knowledgeable about the country they wish to work in and having compelling reasons for their choice. He advises students to start thinking about and researching potential Fulbright opportunities in their sophomore or junior years. By June 1 of the summer before their senior year, interested students must submit a one-page statement of intent outlining their chosen country and reasons for applying. The completed application is then due by September 20 of their senior year.

Johnson highlights the strong support team at �԰��, including Pham and Cortez, who leads a summer Zoom circle to help students work on their application statements. He encourages any interested students to reach out for guidance and support. “In the end, Fulbright is a life-changing experience, and �԰�� has an outstanding team to help students put together their applications,” Johnson says.

Acacia Oyler '23 | Greece

Acacia Oyler ’23 received a Fulbright scholarship to teach in Greece. With majors in ancient Greek and history, and minors in ancient Mediterranean studies and museum studies, Oyler is eager to explore the intersections of the past and present.

From Blanco, Texas, Oyler’s academic interests were sparked by a chance enrollment in an ancient Greek course during her freshman year at �԰��. This led to a deep fascination with ancient texts and the human experiences they convey, especially those related to gendered experiences and stereotypes in the Greek world. As a junior, she studied classics and modern Greek in Athens, Greece, an experience that cemented her passion.

Oyler’s Fulbright fellowship in Greece has only furthered her interest in the Ancient Greek world. During her undergraduate studies here at �԰��, Oyler’s studies on the dynamics surrounding gender in ancient Greek literature culminated in her thesis on gendered portrayals of suicide in Hellenistic and Imperial epigrams. Through these research experiences, Oyler sought new ways of reframing historical narratives for modern audiences to highlight marginalized voices.

For Oyler, one of the most rewarding aspects of her Fulbright experience has been sharing her small-town Texas background with her students in Greece, offering them a more nuanced view of American life beyond the stereotypes portrayed in media. This exchange has led to meaningful discussions and a broader understanding of life in different parts of the world.

Another particularly memorable project for Oyler was a pilot class on “Decolonizing Thanksgiving,” where Oyler led high school students in exploring the holiday’s history and present-day meaning. This workshop encouraged students to critically analyze historical sources and challenge popular myths surrounding the holiday, a powerful experience for Oyler and her students.

Oyler plans to continue blending her research on ancient Greece with modern perspectives, ultimately striving to incorporate diverse perspectives—from the past and present—into her research. Outside of teaching English at Athens College, Oyler has also spent time interning at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Museum of Cycladic Art, where she has been able to work directly with ancient artifacts, bringing her academic interests to life. Post-Fulbright, Oyler plans to pursue a master’s degree in classics at CU Boulder, with the eventual goal of earning a Ph.D. and teaching at the university level.

Maria Pia Paganelli, Ph.D. | Chile

Economics professor Maria Pia Paganelli will return to Chile for her second Fulbright Scholarship in Fall 2024. In Chile, Paganelli will continue her research on the origins of free banking in Chile, a country with a notable history of this banking system during the nineteenth century. During her first Fulbright Scholarship, Paganelli’s research examined the transition from free banking to central banking in Chile and to see if the thoughts of Adam Smith, a Scottish economist credited as being “the father of economics,” had any influence on that debate.

The United States operates on a central banking system, known to us as the Federal Reserve, which has the authority to issue currency, regulate banks, and control monetary policy. In contrast, free banking systems consist of multiple private banks that can issue their banknotes and compete with each other in the financial market. Chile had a relatively long and successful history of free banking during the second half of the nineteenth century. However, Chile transitioned to a central banking system in the early twentieth century, with the Central Bank of Chile established in 1925.

During Paganelli’s first Fulbright, she discovered that the free banking laws in Chile resembled the characteristics of free banking that Smith described as successful for Scotland. For Paganelli’s second Fulbright, she will investigate whether Smith’s ideas on free banking took hold in Chile with the introduction of free banking laws.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in Chile during her first Fulbright experience in Spring 2021, she still had a positive and memorable experience thanks to the support of her Chilean colleagues. For Paganelli, her Fulbright experience in Chile was personally fulfilling and greatly contributed to her ongoing research endeavors.

J'Leen Saeger, Ph.D. | El Salvador

J’Leen Saeger, a Spanish language and literature professor here at �԰��, has received a Fulbright scholarship to teach at the José Simeón Cañas Central American University (UCA) in San Salvador, El Salvador, in January of 2025. There, Saeger will teach TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses, mentor UCA faculty, and conduct workshops on developing effective lesson plans and innovative teaching strategies. Her ultimate goal is to establish an exchange program for students and professors from both universities to collaborate both in person and online.

Saeger was inspired to apply for a Fulbright scholarship after hearing about her colleague’s experiences as a Fulbrighter in Brazil. Despite finding the application process to be somewhat lengthy, she found the process to be quite manageable. Her advice for any students or faculty considering applying is “to get laser-focused on what you want to do or contribute, and then write the essays and the proposal from the heart.”

Saeger chose El Salvador because of the country’s need for TEFL instructors and her prior experience teaching English in Colombia from 2018-19. In El Salvador, Saeger is excited about the opportunity to experience new cultures and meet new people. At UCA, she plans to host weekly game nights and a monthly book club to build long-lasting bonds with her colleagues. Saeger is also thrilled that her daughters, Brylee and Ashlyn, will be accompanying her and attending school there, enhancing their Spanish-speaking skills and broadening their cultural perspectives. In addition to learning about new customs and making connections with her future colleagues, Saeger is also looking forward to trying new foods and traveling around Central America.

Katherine Webster '23 | Spain

Katherine Webster ’23 will teach English as a Second Language (ESL) this fall as a part of the Fulbright fellowship in Ourense, Spain. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Webster’s academic journey here at �԰�� was marked by her love for languages and history, with her majors in French, Spanish and history, and a minor in museum studies.

Webster’s decision to apply for a Fulbright was driven by her love to challenge herself, her passion for teaching, and her desire to improve her skills in Spanish. She found the Fulbright application process to be somewhat demanding; however, with the guidance and support from �԰��’s Fulbright advisors, Webster could successfully navigate the application process’s different components.

Webster chose Ourense, Spain, because of her previous language studies and deep love for the country, which had developed during her study abroad program in Madrid in 2023. Webster was captivated by Spain’s vibrant culture and kind people, making it the ideal destination for her Fulbright experience.

In Ourense, Webster will teach ESL to high school students. She plans on incorporating various English language activities, such as creating a book or movie club, into her teaching. Her expertise in Spanish will significantly aid her in effectively communicating and understanding the challenges her students may face in learning a new language. Webster is looking forward to exploring Galicia, the northwest region of Spain where Ourense is located, to learn more about the area’s history and culture. She also looks forward to revisiting her host family from her study abroad program in Madrid.

Interested in applying for a Fulbright but need some support? Contact the Center for International Engagement at cie@trinity.edu.

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In the above image, from left to right and top to bottom: J'Leen Saeger, Acacia Oyler '23, Jenny Browne, Jason Johnson in graduate school, Katherine Webster '23, Maria Pia Paganelli, and Jorge Colazo.

Drew Cain '24

Drew Cain '24 helps tell �԰��'s story as a writing intern for �԰�� Strategic Communications and Marketing.

From Student to Director of Residential Life

dcain — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 17:44:00 +0000

From Student to Director of Residential Life dcain Friday, June 14, 2024

From Student to Director of Residential Life

Rachel Boaz Toppel ’10 aims to enhance residential life and strengthen the campus community as the new director

Drew Cain '24

Friday, June 14, 2024

As �԰�� prepares for another academic year, we are excited to have Rachel Boaz Toppel ’10 as our director of Residential Life. With her extensive background in student affairs and her strong ties to campus, Toppel is set to bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to our residential halls, ensuring that both students and parents feel confident about the housing experience before the school year begins.

Toppel's journey at �԰�� began during her undergraduate years, where she majored in comparative/international political science and minored in music. Her passion for student life started as a resident assistant and a student desk worker in the Residential Life office during her undergraduate years, laying the foundations for her career in Residential Life. After her time at �԰��, Toppel pursued a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs at the University of Oklahoma.

"I didn't initially think I would end up in Residential Life," said Toppel. However, the student community and her experiences here at �԰�� ultimately brought her back to campus. After her MEd at the University of Oklahoma, Toppel returned to San Antonio to take on the role of residential life coordinator, driven by her dedication to enhancing the student experience.

Rachel’s philosophy toward Residential Life centers on creating a supportive and engaging environment within our residence halls, aiming to make them vibrant and welcoming spaces for all students. "All it takes is one person. A student needs to know that one person cares and has their back,” said Toppel. Toppel has also played a crucial role in restructuring the first-year area programming, fostering strong bonds between resident assistants (RAs) and students, and enhancing the award-winning sophomore college model.

Her approach here at �԰�� has led to the creation of the junior-senior experience in residence halls and the implementation of a gender-inclusive hall and gender-neutral housing policy. These initiatives reflect her dedication to inclusivity and community building, ensuring every student finds their place at �԰��. "It's all about finding your fit and your community," said Toppel.

Toppel is a firm believer in the power of community. Her own family life, centered around activities with her two-year-old, mirrors her approach to Residential Life. "We spend a lot of time at the library, playground, and botanical gardens," said Toppel. Toppel enjoys family bike rides with her husband and child despite the Texas heat. Her commitment to fostering a supportive campus community is evident in both her personal and professional life. This emphasis on family and community also translates into her role as the new director of Residential Life, as she strives to make residence halls welcoming and inclusive.

This summer, several exciting upgrades are underway in �԰�� residence halls. The Witt Center is being transformed into a more welcoming environment, and new community-focused kitchens and lounge spaces are being added in the North and South foyers. Thomas and Lightner Halls are also receiving significant updates to enhance student living. These renovations are part of Toppel’s vision to create vibrant, engaging spaces that encourage students to gather and form lasting connections.

One of the most touching moments Toppel shared was discovering a card from the "Museum of Happiness and Sadness" hanging outside a McLean dorm. A graduating senior had marked their first-year dorm as a place of happiness, writing, "This is where I met my best friend, my boyfriend, and my close friends. I'm sad it's all over and I'm almost done with college." This simple yet powerful note beautifully captures the magic of the residential experience at �԰��. Toppel hopes to highlight and celebrate more of these heartfelt stories, showcasing the profound impact that living on campus can have on the college experience.

Toppel’s dedication to telling the story of Residential Life at �԰�� is a testament to her belief in the value of the on-campus experience. "There are so many beautiful and amazing things happening in our residence halls that people just don't know about," said Toppel. She aims to highlight these positive aspects and ensure that the residential experience positively contributes to students' overall �԰�� journey.

Toppel’s goal is clear: “I want students to feel like the residence halls are a place they want to gather.” She designed these upcoming changes to support student interaction, foster a sense of community, and make the residence halls more than just places to sleep. Toppel encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and actively engage with their RAs and hall events. "We can’t wave a magic wand to ensure students make friends; they have to take ownership of their experience," said Toppel. Open communication with roommates and community activities are essential to a fulfilling living experience. Rachel emphasizes the importance of getting to know your RAs and participating in various hall events, such as Hallympics, to build a strong community.

For parents, Toppel offers reassurance: "Your students have chosen a welcoming and supportive environment at �԰��." Toppel emphasizes the importance of allowing students to grow through their own experiences, even when faced with certain challenges. "There is no growth in perfection," said Toppel. Toppel also provides practical advice for parents preparing for the move-in process: "Pack light. Each year, students will live in different setups, so there's no need to overpack." This approach helps ease the transition for both students and their families, ensuring a smoother start to the academic year.

Toppel’s new role marks an exciting new chapter for Residential Life at �԰��. Her experience, dedication, and genuine passion for student well-being will bring meaningful changes to campus as she takes on the role of our new director of Residential Life. As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, we look forward to all the community-building initiatives that Toppel will introduce to campus.

Drew Cain '24 helps tell �԰��'s story as a writing intern for �԰�� Strategic Communications and Marketing.

Drew Cain '24

Celebrating �԰�����’s Recent Fulbright Students and Scholars

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From Student to Director of Residential Life

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Celebrating �԰��’s Recent Fulbright Students and Scholars