2024 Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) and David E. Albright Awards

The Center for the Study of Global Change (Global Center) is proud to be a Title VI Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship-granting center, supported by the U.S. Department of Education. This grant cycle we were able to award 100% of our prestigious FLAS awards to students studying less-commonly-taught languages (LCTLs) including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Swahili, Zulu. 

The Global Center awards these fellowships to students studying LCTLs at intermediate or advanced levels of proficiency and to those interested in government careers who represent various disciplines and backgrounds. This year's awards went to students with majors and fields of study in computer science, international studies and law, business economics, anthropology, cybersecurity and global policy, and history. Research interests included, for example, the intersection of religion and language education, relationships between Eastern and Western countries through literary works, and computer science in the global sphere. Summer FLAS fellowships were awarded not only to students from Indiana University, but also the University of Texas at Arlington, and the College of William and Mary.

When selecting FLAS Fellows the Global Center prioritizes students studying transnational or cross-regionally, especially those who utilize a global framework to approach their topic of inquiry. We thank our applicants and congratulate our awarded fellows once again on their accomplishments.

David E. Albright Scholars

In 2024, the Global Center once again funded two undergraduate David E. Albright Memorial Scholars, representing some of the IU Hamilton Lugar School’s top students committed to international issues. Our primary recipient was Sabine Thomas, and our honorable mention was Declan Gallagher.

This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. David Albright, who was a valued colleague of the Global Center and a champion of international studies education both at IU and globally throughout his career. The scholarship is made possible thanks to the generous support of Mrs. Ruth Albright who, in the spirit of her late husband, continues to mentor and support these annual scholarship recipients.

We were happy to honor this year’s recipients at a formal luncheon here at the Ferguson International Center. Not only did they discuss their careers and make a connection with Ms. Albright, but they were also engaged in a lively conversation thanks to the presence of Hilary Kahn, IU Indy’s Associate Vice Chancellor and President of International Affairs, as well as Miguel Ayllon, IU Global’s Associate Vice President for International Affairs. 

Once again, we congratulate Sabine and Declan and invite you to read about our 2024 recipients below and on our website.

Sabine Thomas is double majoring in International Studies and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (Arabic), as well as minoring in Creative Writing and pursuing a TESOL certification. She is dedicated to using education as a tool of empowerment for Arabic-speaking immigrant and refugee women living in the United States. Through study abroad opportunities in Jordan, India, and Bangladesh, she has realized the power of education and the ways in which the English language opens opportunities and furthers independence for women across the globe. Currently, Sabine is the president of the student organization Fair Trade at IU, where she advocates for female worker rights. She is also a committed member of the Arabic Flagship and an English tutor for the IU English Language Instruction Program.

Declan Gallagher is a senior majoring in International Studies and Spanish, with a minor in Russian. His fascination with global dynamics and cross-cultural interactions has driven his academic and professional pursuits. Declan's recent internship in Santiago, Chile, has provided him with firsthand experience in international relations and deepened his understanding of Latin American political and cultural contexts. His linguistic skills in Spanish and Russian further enhance his ability to engage with diverse communities. With aspirations to work at the State Department or a similar organization, Declan aims to leverage his knowledge of foreign policy and his international experience to foster diplomacy and cooperation on the global stage. His dedication to lifelong learning and making a positive impact underscores his commitment to a career in global affairs.