Two recent St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) graduates and two current students have been named Fulbright Semi-Finalists. Three candidates have been moved forward as potential English Teaching Assistants (ETAs)—to spend a year teaching English in a foreign country—while the fourth is in the running for a Study Award to pursue a doctoral degree in Ireland.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides recent graduates and young professionals with opportunities to conduct research, pursue graduate studies, or teach English abroad. The program's mission is to foster cross-cultural connections, academic growth and global understanding by supporting projects that promote meaningful engagement within diverse communities around the world.
Professor of English Jennifer Cognard-Black, Ph.D., the inaugural director of national fellowships and awards at St. Mary's College, had this to say about this year's Fulbright Semi-Finalists: "It is an achievement in and of itself for a Fulbright applicant to be selected as a Semi-Finalist. Each year, upwards of 4,000 student applicants compete for Fulbright Study Awards, while over 5,000 pursue Fulbright ETA grants. Thus, to be named a Semi-Finalist is truly outstanding!"
The selected Semi-Finalists include:
Nicole Gibson ’24: Semi-Finalist for an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Spain
Nicole Gibson graduated from SMCM in May 2024, majoring in political science and public policy with a minor in Spanish. A student-athlete for all four years, she was a member of varsity rowing and volleyball as well as a student coach for volleyball’s strength and conditioning program. During her junior year, Nicole studied abroad for a semester in Granada, Spain. She was a semi-finalist in 2025 for an ETA in Argentina. Currently, Gibson serves as a legislative assistant for Delaware State Senator Dan Cruce.
Tyler Campbell ’25: Semi-Finalist for an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Moldova
Tyler Campbell double-majored in history and political science, graduating in May 2025. As an undergraduate, he studied for a semester at the Umbria Institute in Perugia, Italy. Campbell currently works with Heartly House in Frederick County, Maryland, facilitating youth engagement and coordination for survivors of violence.
Allison Thress ’26: Semi-Finalist for an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Colombia
Allison Thress is a Spanish major with a minor in art. She has spent the past three semesters studying abroad in Grenada, Spain and Costa Rica. Thress plans to graduate from SMCM in May 2026.
Bechorah Aguoru: Semi-Finalist for a Study Award at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Bechorah Aguoru is a neuroscience major with a double minor in philosophy and Spanish. She previously studied abroad in Grenada, Spain for a semester. Aguoru is a member of the SMCM Ethics Bowl team headed to the National Ethics Bowl in St. Louis, Missouri in March. She plans to graduate from SMCM in May 2026.
Current St. Mary’s College students and alumni may apply for Fulbright awards to teach English abroad, pursue graduate study abroad or engage in an individual research project for the 2026-2027 cycle beginning in March. A timeline for the application process—including the deadline for pre-proposals—may be found on the National Fellowships and Awards Office Website. Anyone who would like to find out more about Fulbright opportunities or the application process may contact the director of national fellowships and awards, Professor Jennifer Cognard-Black, at: fellowships@smcm.edu.
