At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), we believe that academic excellence and deep faith go hand in hand. That belief comes to life through the accomplishments of our students, as well as our faculty—dedicated scholars who not only teach but also inspire, bringing real-world research and global insights into the classroom. This year, we are excited to have two of our faculty members join the ranks of Fulbright Scholar awardees, demonstrating the expertise we offer in the classroom. They are among six individuals, including four of our students, who have received international recognition through two prestigious awards. Three of these students have received Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards, and the fourth received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
Business and Communication Faculty to Research Abroad
Dr. Marcus Valenzuela and Dr. Thomas Parham received Fulbright Scholar awards, marking a total of three Fulbrights given to PBA professors in the last two years. This accomplishment reflects the faculty members’ dedication to their fields and continuous learning opportunities, enriching what they bring to academia. They join the ranks of other accomplished professors and researchers across the nation.
Marcus Valenzuela, associate professor of management, will research “Acculturation in a Hungarian Context: Societal and Organizational Implications,” exploring how migrant workers adapt to new cultural and workplace environments, with implications for organizational behavior and human resource practices in Hungary.
“I was inspired by Fulbright’s mission to foster mutual international understanding through academic and cultural exchange, which aligns closely with my personal and professional experience, values and goals,” said Valenzuela.
Dr. Thomas Parham, professor of communication and media studies, will research how streaming services and U.S. runaway production affect Canadian cultural identity. He will conduct research at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.
Each year, over 800 American scholars participate in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Valenzuela and Parham’s findings will not only grow their knowledge within specific research areas, but also enhance PBA’s academic community through new insights grounded in international contexts and comparative perspectives.
Global Experiences Prepare Future Leaders
And our students are not to be outdone. They continue to thrive inside and outside of the classroom. Three alumni who graduated in May 2025 were honored with Fulbright English Teaching Assistant awards. While abroad, they will serve as global cultural ambassadors during the 2025-2026 academic year. Halle Kibben, an English graduate, will serve in the Czech Republic; Rebecca Nacy, who earned a degree in biology, will work in Spain; and Sarah Olson, an elementary education graduate, will travel to Bulgaria. PBA students have now received a total of 20 Fulbright awards in eight years.
The Fulbright ETA program places U.S. citizens in classrooms abroad to help local English teachers while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and other professionals with the opportunity to forge lasting connections, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals. Fulbrights are selected based on academic and professional achievements and a record of service and leadership. Alumni include Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize recipients, and heads of state.
Johnna Ryan, a junior studying English, also received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and will study at the University of Oxford this fall. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship supports American students in acquiring language skills and cultural insights that are essential for academic and career advancement.
I’m so proud to say that we are not just preparing students for jobs. We are preparing them to influence the world—with wisdom, compassion, and bold faith. And we’re doing it with faculty who are recognized among the best, both nationally and globally. This is what it means to enlighten minds, enrich souls, and extend hands—across borders, in every profession, for the glory of God.
Dr. Debra A. Schwinn became Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) ninth President on May 4, 2020. Previously she was Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs, Dean of the Carver College of Medicine, and Professor of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry at the University of Iowa. Prior to those appointments, Dr. Schwinn served in senior leadership roles at the University of Washington and Duke University.