Isabela Keetley has spent the last nine months teaching history, English, and running a model UN club at a high school in Madrid. She was one of five University of Richmond students selected for a Fulbright for 2023-2024.

“When I learned I had received a Fulbright grant I could hardly believe it. I was quickly checking my email before heading to class when I got the news — I immediately yelled for my roommates to come upstairs and we all celebrated,” said Keetley, a 2023 grad who majored in leadership studies and minored in business administration and Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies. “Fulbright had been a dream of mine since I learned about it freshman year.” 

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has recognized UR for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for its Fulbright U.S. Student Program. It’s the eighth time and sixth year in a row Richmond has been named a top producer of Fulbright students, which provide students with funding to live, work, and study around the world. Richmond has had 80 student Fulbright grant recipients.

“The Fulbright program allows our students and young alums to engage in international study that enhances their lives,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. “This recognition as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution showcases our commitment to global connection and supporting members of our campus communities to pursue international opportunities.”

The Fulbright programs are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to support academic exchanges between the U.S. and more than 150 countries around the world.

“Fulbright’s Top Producing Institutions represent the diversity of America’s higher education community. Dedicated administrators support students and scholars at these institutions to fulfill their potential and rise to address tomorrow’s global challenges. We congratulate them, and all the Fulbrighters who are making an impact the world over,” said Lee Satterfield, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs.

While at UR, Keetley was a founding member of LALIS, the Spanish conversation club, and studied abroad in Spain. On her current trip, she said she has strengthened her Spanish language skills and learned more about her host country’s history and culture.

“I am halfway through my grant year and have learned more than I could have imagined in just five short months. Fulbright encourages us to take language classes and participate in different cultural exchanges,” she said.

When she returns from her Fulbright experience in June 2024, Keetley will be moving to New York City to begin her career in government consulting in Guidehouse’s energy, sustainability and infrastructure section.

“I can’t wait to get started!” she said.