Lauren Karplus, assistant director for the Office of International Programs in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a recipient of the highly competitive Fulbright International Education Administrators Award.

As one of only ten recipients, Karplus will travel to India for two weeks during March 2024 to meet with representatives of universities, private-sector agencies and organizations, and selected government agencies. The participants will have opportunities to familiarize themselves with program and curriculum designs, organizational structures, quality assurance procedures, and credit and degree expectations in Indian higher education to gain better insight into India’s higher education system.

“The opportunity for Lauren to participate in the program and to visit Indian universities comes at a perfect time for the College of ACES. Given our focus on global food security and on responding to climate change with sustainable agricultural practices, we view India as an important global partner and plan to invigorate our partnerships with Indian universities in the next two years,” says Mary Arends-Kuenning, acting associate dean for ACES International Programs. 

Karplus is especially interested in making contacts in India for a potential future ACES Global Academy focus country.

“In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation,” as stated on the program’s website.

Read more about the award here.