University of Houston students will serve as educators, researchers and master’s scholars in Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Spain and the United Kingdom before returning to enrich the Greater Houston area with international perspectives. (Credit Getty Images)
Key Takeaways
- Eight University of Houston students and alumni earned prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards during its 80th anniversary year, raising the University's total to 82 recipients since 2018.
- The latest cohort highlights major firsts for UH, including Nine Abad securing the University’s first Taiwan Debate Coach Grant and Maryam Mukhtarov becoming the first UH student to receive a Fulbright grant to Kazakhstan.
- UH Cougars will serve as educators, researchers and master’s scholars in Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Spain and the United Kingdom before returning to enrich the Greater Houston area with international perspectives.
University of Houston students continue to travel and expand their academic horizons while impacting communities around the globe through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. As it celebrates its 80th year, eight UH students and alumni have been awarded scholarships from the Fulbright program, the world’s largest international academic exchange initiative.
Their selection reflects the University of Houston’s increasing global presence as more Cougars pursue opportunities to learn, serve and share the knowledge and experiences gained at UH.
“It is no surprise that eight University of Houston students have earned prestigious Fulbright Scholarships,” said Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “As they venture abroad to teach, conduct research and build cross-cultural bridges, the unique insights and diverse perspectives they gain and bring back will enrich our academic community and play a vital role in fostering innovation and understanding throughout the Greater Houston area.”
The latest recipients contribute to a growing tradition of Fulbright excellence at UH. Since 2018, 82 University of Houston students have earned Fulbright awards, reflecting the University’s commitment to academic achievement, global engagement and cultural exchange.
Nine Abad
This year, Nine Abad was the first UH student to receive the Taiwan Debate Coach Grant. Abad is a 2026 graduate with double degrees in political science and women's, gender and sexuality studies, and a minor in leadership studies from the Honors College. Only four debate coaches across the nation were chosen from this year's Fulbright application pool.
"As an alum from the University of Houston's Honors College, I have learned to be a better student and educator, which I aim to carry with me as I coach debate in Taichung, Taiwan,” Abad said. “I am ecstatic to bring what I've learned from the Honors College to Taiwan in order to support students in becoming future leaders and lifelong learners.”
Krishna Lathish
Krishna Lathish was awarded a Taiwan English Teaching Assistantship. Lathish was an English major with minors in India studies and phronésis, who will be teaching in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
"I'm excited to explore Taiwan as a student and educator,” Lathish said. “The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship gives me the opportunity to apply what I've learned at UH in a completely new context and gain experience I'll use throughout the rest of my life. I'm looking forward to learning about Taiwanese culture from my students and coordinators and sharing what makes Houston special to me in return."
Maryam Mukhtarov
Thousands of miles west of Taiwan, in Central Asia, is Kazakhstan, where Maryam Mukhtarov will become the first UH student to receive a Fulbright grant to the region.
“As a former English language learner, it's especially meaningful to serve as a Fulbright English teaching assistant,” Mukhtarov said. “I'm excited to learn about Kazakhstan's history, culture and language while bringing the teaching experiences I gained through teachHOUSTON into my classroom. I hope my own journey encourages students to approach English with confidence.”
Sophie Nguyen
In August, Sophie Nguyen will get her wish to return to Vietnam, where she will complete a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. Nguyen recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Phronésis from the Honors College.
“I have always wanted, in abstract, to return to Vietnam, to gain a community, and to someday represent myself and Vietnam with confidence. Fulbright has made that someday, today,” Nguyen said. “The care that was bestowed upon me, studying English literature at the University of Houston, was detailed, deliberate and gave just as good as I put into it. If I can give a fraction of that experience to another student and water their growth, it will only make my experiences at UH that more meaningful.”
Naveera Majid
Naveera Majid was awarded the Manchester Metropolitan University Specialty Award. She currently works as a development coordinator for the Reunion and Volunteer Giving Team at Rice University.
In September, she will attend Manchester Metropolitan University, where she will pursue a master’s degree in creative writing. Majid earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in sociology from UH in 2023.
"This Fulbright represents years of growth as a poet and a person,” Majid said. “While waiting for this opportunity, I’ve stayed connected to the organizations and people that support Houston's creative writing community while building a career, including my current role at Rice University, which has deepened my understanding of community and service. Through it all, I’ve received unending support from my mentors and professors at the University of Houston. It will be a pleasure to bring this amalgamation of myself to the UK. I'm arriving at Manchester Metropolitan University with experiences, mentors, and perspectives I wouldn't have had otherwise. I'm eager to see how living in Manchester and becoming part of its vibrant poetry community will shape both my craft and the stories I'll bring back to Houston."
Isabella Knoepffler
Isabella Knoepffler, an Honors College student with a major in political science and a minor in sociology and phronésis, garnered a Spain English Teaching Assistantship.
“The University of Houston has profoundly shaped who I am today, so receiving this award is both an incredible honor and a reflection of that impact,” Knoepffler said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to foster connection through language and cultural exchange while learning from my students and the community around me in the Canary Islands. When I return to Houston, I hope to bring back a deeper appreciation for intercultural communication that will guide me throughout my career in law and public service."
Two additional students were awarded Fulbright grants but elected not to be featured in this article.
Each year, the distinguished scholarship initiative supports the academic and professional journeys of more than 8,000 scholars, professors, students and artists in over 160 countries, creating opportunities for participants to engage across cultures while addressing issues of global importance.
Get info about Fulbright applications
Contact Ben Rayder from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards to learn about the student program