Indiana University of Pennsylvania will welcome 22 educators from 13 countries August 13 through December 10 as part of the university’s selection as a host for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers.
This is the tenth year IUP has been chosen for the program, which brings international primary and secondary educators who are Fulbright recipients in their home countries to the United States. As part of the program, the visiting teachers will complete professional development coursework at IUP and be guest teachers in the Indiana Area School District and in the Pittsburgh Public School system.
This is the tenth year that IUP has been chosen for the program, which includes funding of $274,000 to IUP for the project; overall, IUP has received more than $2.4 million for the initiative.
For fall 2025, IUP is one of only two universities in the nation, and the only one in Pennsylvania, chosen as a host institution for the program, which is sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).
While in the United States, the visiting educators will take courses for professional development, observe and share their expertise with US colleagues, and take back what they’ve learned and share it in their home countries. The educators also complete individual or group “Educator Projects,” designed to be relevant to the educators’ education practice in their home country.
The visiting teachers—three primary, 18 secondary, and one university professor—come from Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Finland, Greece, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Singapore, and Uganda.
Since spring 2016, including the 2025 cohort, IUP has hosted 180 international educators through this program and its forerunner, International Leaders in Education Program. Ten scholars who participated in the program have returned to pursue graduate programs at IUP.
Michele Petrucci, associate vice president for International Education and Global Engagement and director of IUP’s Office of International Education, is the grant principal investigator. Edel Reilly, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, works closely with Petrucci on the program.
The program began as a joint initiative of the Office of International Education and the College of Education and Communications, under Lara Luetkehans during her tenure as dean of the College; Luetkehans currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at IUP.
Petrucci recognized the strong collaboration and support by the school districts and community as part of the program’s ongoing success.
“The administrators, teachers, and students have warmly welcomed our Fulbright educators, and the leadership in both school districts have worked very hard to provide opportunities for these teachers to interact with their teachers, students, and families,” she said.
“The community members of the Fulbright Friendship program are incredible hosts, welcoming the visiting educators in all ways, inviting them into their homes for meals, and taking them to community events and to regional landmarks and destinations,” Petrucci said. “This support is so important and so appreciated, and the impact on our western Pennsylvania community is immeasurable,” she said.
“Some of our Fulbright Friendship Hosts have been involved in the program from the first year, and we appreciate them so much. A semester is a long time to be away from your home and from your families, so these Friendship Hosts really help our visiting educators to feel welcome and to enjoy their experience here.”