Undergraduate senior Mary Velazquez was recently selected as the recipient of the 2023-2024 Fulbright scholarship to earn a Master of Arts in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. The United States Fulbright scholarship is an incredibly prestigious award, often culminating in a single applicant being selected from a large pool. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, this program aims to expand perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Participants are able to pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad through their grants

The application process for Fulbright is a rigorous one, requiring concise, informative research proposals alongside creative samples that showcase the writer’s ability. Working closely with the Loyola Writing Department, Mary tirelessly crafted her portfolio during the past 2022-2023 school year to comprehensively express her intentions with her grant. With her scholarship, Mary hopes to spend her 10-month research study in the United Kingdom developing a collection of fictional short stories based on her Latino heritage and cultural folklore. She will be mentored by Manchester Metropolitan University’s renowned staff of writers to learn how to craft a manuscript suitable for publication. The program will ultimately culminate in Mary receiving her Masters degree, and producing an extended piece of writing that aligns with the values of cultural exchange and uplifting minority voices.