WKU News

Emma Childress, a second-year first-generation college student studying English and Environmental, Sustainability, and Geographic Studies, has been selected for the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, one of the most renowned and selective summer scholarship programs operating worldwide. Emma will study in a fully-funded three-week program on Arts, Activism and Social Justice at the University of Bristol in England.  

Each year, the US-UK Fulbright Commission supports up to 50 first- and second-year undergraduates from across the United States to undertake a demanding academic and cultural summer program at leading institutions in the UK. The Summer Institutes form part of the US-UK Fulbright Commission’s work to promote leadership, learning, and empathy between nations through educational exchange. 

Emma, the daughter of Chad and Allison Childress of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, said she wants to help make environmental science communication more engaging through “effective, creative, and art-based information.” She is currently working on an undergraduate research project with English faculty member Dr. Jessi Thomsen, analyzing the rhetorical practices used by farmers and farming organizations to develop a framework of sustainable language. In her career, she hopes to implement this research into producing content so people can better know and understand the land they live on.  

“When people collectively know their land, and the language surrounding it, they can come together to protect it,” she said. Outside of academics, she is a member of the Mahurin Honors College and serves as the Coordinator of Membership for HonorsToppers, the honors student ambassador group. She is also a member of the Potter College of Arts and Letter’s Dean’s Council of Students.  

“Emma has a persistence with her work that I don’t see very often,” said Dr. Thomsen. “Between that and her curiosity at intersections — such as sustainability and language — she already has the foundations of a solid researcher.” 

In commenting on the summer program, Dr. Thomsen continued, “It seems to me that an experience like this has potential to open up space to ask questions that we didn’t know we could be asking. I hope that Emma comes back from this experience with new pathways for her research that she might not have seen otherwise — and that she can put that into action with a project that we are planning for next year.” 

“The US-UK Fulbright Summer Institutes program is one of the most competitive undergraduate scholarships out there, but our students have consistently won. Emma is the lucky thirteenth WKU student selected since 2012. We encourage all students who fit the criteria UKSI is looking for to apply! The Office of Scholar Development is here to help, and the process of applying itself is as valuable as the award,” said Anna Mayo, who advises WKU students on the Fulbright UK Summer Institute application. 

Emma reflected on the value she found in the application and interview process. “This was my second time applying for the institute, and each time, the application helped propel me forwards in both my academic and personal goals,” said Emma.  

The US-UK Fulbright Commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards, the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.   

“This year’s cohort of participants in the UK Summer Institutes programme reflects the very best of intellectual curiosity, leadership, and transatlantic engagement. Through immersive academic and cultural experiences, they will deepen their knowledge while building lasting connections. We are confident that their time in the UK will be transformative, equipping them with the perspectives and networks needed to become future leaders and ambassadors of international collaboration in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Rowena Boddington, Interim, Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright commission.  

About the US-UK Fulbright Commission: The US-UK Fulbright Commission works to advance knowledge, promote civic engagement, and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the US and the UK. It is the only academic awards program that operates on both sides of the Atlantic, providing grants for postgraduate study, research, and teaching. Since its inception in 1948, tens of thousands of British and American citizens have participated in Fulbright programs, enriching their educations, developing relationships, advancing their careers, and making a difference in their communities, at home and abroad. The Fulbright Program of awards is now considered amongst the most prestigious scholarship awards globally, with 60 Nobel Laureates and 39 Heads of State/Government within its 390,000 global alumni. 

About the UK Summer Institutes: Each year, the US-UK Fulbright Commission supports up to 50 US undergraduate students to undertake demanding academic and cultural summer programs at leading institutions in the UK. This year they are hosting the following five Summer Institute programs at host institutions across the UK: University of Bristol Summer Institute, Queen's University Belfast Summer Institute, King’s College London Summer Institute, University of St Andrews Summer Institute, and Lancaster University Summer Institute. For more information, visit: https://fulbright.org.uk/our-programmes/undergraduate-and-preuniversity-programmes/uk-summer-institutes/ 

About the Office of Scholar Development: OSD mentors students applying for national scholarships to fund “academic extras” such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more. From first drafts to final submissions with multiple revisions in between, OSD helps students make more possible. By conceptualizing and revising the stories they tell in application essays, students better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose — and explore multiple possible pathways to that work. 

Contact: Anna Mayo, anna.mayo@wku.edu