Oakland, CA - Mills College has been named a leading producer of U.S. Fulbright Fellowship recipients for the second year in a row, with three alumnae winning the prestigious awards in 2007–08. The Fulbright Program recognized Mills among only 21 master’s colleges and universities nationwide (The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 26, 2007).

The Fulbright Program is the largest international exchange program in the country, enabling students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, and teaching.

Beginning this fall, Mills alumnae Charis Boke, Phoebe Connell, and Elizabeth Setzer become part of the contingent of approximately 1,500 U.S. Fulbright award recipients in more than 100 disciplines who will study and work in more than 125 countries. 

Boke graduated from Mills in 2006 with a BA in English. Her Fulbright award will enable her to study anthropology at the Center for Nepal and Asian Studies in Kathmandu. Connell completed the Mills post-baccalaureate Pre-Med Program in 2007 after earning her BA in psychology from Columbia University in 2005. She received the Fulbright grant in public health to research the social determinants of health at the Center for Health Equity Studies of Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute. Setzer earned her BA in music performance at Mills in 2006, and was awarded a Fulbright grant to study singing, conducting, and composing at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

According to Mills President Janet L. Holmgren, “Mills’ outstanding record of preparing students to receive prestigious Fulbright awards reflects the College’s abiding commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of women. Characterized by world renowned faculty dedicated to teaching, small, collaborative classes, and extensive research opportunities, the Mills liberal arts education has set the standard for colleges and universities throughout the country.”

Three Mills scholars also received Fulbright awards in 2006–07: Rufiena Jones (Class of 2003, majored in media studies and sociology), to teach English as a Foreign Language in Thailand; Rachel Niec (Class of 2006, majored in chemistry and biology, with a minor in mathematics), to study medical sciences in Bali, Indonesia; and Tara Rodgers (Class of 2006, MFA in electronic music and recording media) to study in the Communications Department at McGill University, Montreal.

Fulbright grants provide funds for international transportation, a living stipend, a small book/research allowance, and medical insurance. Some countries also provide tuition assistance, a small dependent’s allowance, a pre-departure or in-country orientation, or other grant enhancements.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 290,000 participants worldwide with the opportunity to observe each other’s political, economic, and cultural institutions; exchange ideas; and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. Nearly 42,000 U.S. students have participated in a Fulbright experience.     

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Financial support is provided by an annual appropriation from Congress to the Department of State, with significant contributions from participating governments and host institutions in the U.S. and abroad. The presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board formulates policy guidelines and makes the final selection of all grantees.          

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs to approximately 900 undergraduate women and 500 graduate women and men. Ranked one of the top colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report and one of the Best 366 Colleges by the Princeton Review, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women's leadership, social responsibility, and creativity. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California, on 135 lush acres, Mills was recently selected by the New York Times as one of three outstanding California colleges for students to consider.

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