Portales, NM – July 17, 2023 – Eastern New Mexico University Assistant Professor of Career Technical Education Jihyun Woo, was awarded with the Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad grant for the 23-24 school year.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Woo, a grant totaling $133,046. The project titled “Open Online Course Design for Enhancing Cultural Awareness and Diversity,” will allow 12 ENMU “Fulbrighters” to travel to Korea in June 2024 to participate first-hand with diversity course materials.

“Respecting others’ cultures and understanding differences are critical aspects of our diverse society. These aspects are directly connected to a reasonable manner of employability skills for future leaders,” said Jihyun Woo, Assistant Professor of Career Technical Education. “The Fulbright-Hays GPA project will bring opportunities for ENMU students, NM teachers, and students to open their eyes to the globe, find the similarities and differences between the US and Korean cultures, and provide direct and indirect educational experiences.”

Goals for the Open Online Course Design for Enhancing Cultural Awareness and Diversity Project include:

  • To provide educational and research experiences to ENMU students and New Mexico K-12 teachers to integrate these culturally diverse experiences into their classroom teaching and life.
  • To inspire the community and public to open their eyes to the other sides of the world and promote critical thinking skills by paying attention to global issues.
  • To gain professional and personal growth, such as cultural awareness and a greater appreciation of the importance of accepting diversity in their classrooms and life in general.

The purpose of the Fulbright-Hays GPA program – much like the associated Fulbright Scholarship program – is to encourage international goodwill and cultural exchange. Additionally, the program supports overseas projects in training, research and curriculum development among educators at the K-12, higher education and graduate student levels. As such, ENMU is including two of its own faculty members in this project, along with five ENMU students, and six K-12 teachers from New Mexico Public Schools.

“One of the ways a university brings value internally and externally is through grant writing and research efforts,” said James Johnston, ENMU Chancellor. “I appreciate the efforts of Jihyun Woo to bring such opportunities to our faculty, students and community teachers.”

The Fulbright Program, led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects. Fulbright alumni from the United States and around the world have gone on to achieve distinction in government, science, the arts, business, philanthropy, and education. Among the ranks of Fulbright alumni are 62 Nobel Prize recipients, 78 MacArthur Foundation Fellows, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 41 current or former heads of state or government. For more information visit https://eca.state.gov/fulbright.