WKU News

Brent Andrews, a 2019 graduate of WKU’s School of Nursing and Allied Health, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Research Award to study the implementation and efficacy of dengue screening protocols as part of the master’s degree program in Global Health at National Taiwan University starting in Fall 2026.  

Andrews, of Franklin, Tennessee, currently works as an emergency department charge nurse in Louisville, KY. However, he has long been interested in global health and has actively sought international experiences that foster a meaningful exchange of healthcare knowledge, perspectives, and practices for the benefit of patient care and to strengthen healthcare systems in diverse settings. 

As an undergraduate, he spent two months at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, where he strengthened his Chinese language skills and immersed himself in a different cultural and academic environment. He later earned a Diploma in Tropical Nursing in 2022 from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, spending a month in the United Kingdom. Building on these experiences, he traveled to Ghana in 2025, as a nurse consultant with the University of Louisville Global Health Division, collaborating with nurses and physicians at Tamale Teaching Hospital. 

Andrews also acknowledged a strong network of support that has helped him pursue these opportunities in global health. He would like to thank Dr. Miranda Peterson and Dr. Lori Fox of the School of Nursing for their support of his goals and this Fulbright application as well as Dr. Jackson Williams at the University of Louisville for introducing him to the world of global public health. He also acknowledges the assistance of WKU’s Office of Scholar Development staff for “taking the time to talk with me about my future and help me dream big” and “editing multiple drafts and [providing] constant support.” 

Andrews explained that “[Fulbright] has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive financial and logistical support to move to Taiwan to study a topic I am truly passionate about.”  

He is also excited about “adventuring around Taiwan and embracing life in a big city!” 

After completing his Fulbright, Andrews plans to work in the global health sector as a nurse and public health professional. His research interests center around emerging infectious disease response and health equity.  

Andrews joins a 75-year legacy of Hilltoppers who have participated in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government that is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.   

Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. Students and recent alumni interested in learning more can register their interest here and stay tuned to @wku_osd on Instagram for additional information from the Office of Scholar Development. The campus deadline for completed applications is September 1.  

About the Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to forge lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals. Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has enabled more than 450,000 dedicated and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and find solutions to shared international concerns in more than 160 countries worldwide.  

About the Office of Scholar Development: OSD mentors students and alumni applying for nationally competitive scholarships for “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 and interviews, students and alumni better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose — and explore multiple possible pathways to that work.  

Contact: Anna Mayo, anna.mayo@wku.edu