Five U of A Students Receive International Awards to Teach Abroad

Four University of Arkansas students have received English Teaching Assistant Awards through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and one student has been named an alternate for the prestigious international exchange program.

The students receiving Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Awards:

• Madeline “Maddie” Gwinner, who will serve in Germany;
• Daisy Rehbock, who will serve in Spain;
• Shawn Sproles, who will serve in the Palestinian Territories; and,
• Eliza Staton, who will serve in Mexico;
• Jenna Allemand was named an alternate for an English Teaching Assistant Award to Belgium.

“These students have received one of the nation’s most prestigious international awards,” said Emily Voight, the U of A Fulbright Program adviser and senior associate director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. “Their success reflects their dedication to cultural exchange and campus and community involvement, as well as the educational opportunities and mentorship available at our university.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program, providing opportunities for recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals to teach English, conduct research, or pursue graduate study abroad while promoting mutual understanding between the United States and other nations.

Fulbright 2026-27 English Teaching Assistants

Madeline “Maddie” Gwinner

Gwinner (from Chesterfield, Missouri) graduated with honors in May 2026 with degrees in international studies and political science and minors in German and legal studies. Her interest in Germany began through language study and developed into a broader academic focus on German history, politics and regional identity. She has studied multilateral diplomacy through the School for International Training in Geneva, Switzerland, conducted original field research, volunteered in a high school German classroom and served as a research assistant with the University of Arkansas Terrorism Research Center. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Gwinner hopes to foster meaningful cross-cultural exchange while learning more about Germany’s educational system and regional communities.

Daisy Rehbock

Rehbock (Fayetteville) graduated summa cum laude from the U of A in 2024 with a degree in international and global studies and minors in gender studies, history and Spanish. She is currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, where she works in youth leadership development and English-language education. Rehbock previously studied abroad in Madrid and has extensive experience in debate, Model United Nations and intercultural programming. Through her Fulbright award to Spain, she hopes to build on her experience supporting language learners while promoting cultural exchange in Spanish classrooms.

Shawn Sproles

Sproles (Bentonville) graduated in May 2026 with degrees in electrical engineering and Arabic. His academic interests bridge technical problem-solving and international engagement, with a particular interest in how cultural understanding can inform global challenges. Sproles has studied Arabic in Jordan and was selected for an intensive program in Oman. He served as a tutor and mentor, coached conversation programs for international students and worked as a cross-cultural mentor. A dedicated musician, Sproles also performs as a cellist with the University Symphony Orchestra. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in the West Bank, he hopes to support students' language learning while deepening his understanding of the region and its communities.

Eliza Staton

Staton (Tulsa) graduated with honors in May 2026 with degrees in sociology and Spanish and a minor in social work. She plans to pursue a career in immigration law and public policy and views the Fulbright experience as an opportunity to strengthen her Spanish-language proficiency and understanding of Mexican culture. Staton has served as a Supplemental Instructor at the University of Arkansas, volunteered with bilingual youth programs and worked with literacy-focused nonprofit organizations. She also interned with Canopy NWA, supporting newly arrived refugees. Through her Fulbright award, she hopes to promote bilingual education while building meaningful connections with students and educators in Mexico.

Jenna Allemand

Allemand, who graduated in May 2026 with an M.A. in Modern Languages: French Language and Literature, was named an alternate for an English Teaching Assistant Award to Belgium. As an alternate, Allemand remains eligible for appointment should an award become available.

U.S. Teaching Assistantship Austria

A U of A student was also selected for the U.S. Teaching Assistantship (USTA) Program of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, a program administered by Fulbright Austria.

Devon Cowan of Mission Viejo, Calif., graduated in May 2026 with a degree in German. She plans a career teaching the German language. She has served as a teaching assistant for a German high school class and worked as a college tutor. During her tenure with USTA, she will teach in central Austria.

Recipients of Fulbright U.S. Student grants and the USTA are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.

One hundred and eight U of A students and alumni have received Fulbright U.S. Student Awards in countries around the world, including Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, and Mexico. Applications for the 2027-28 competition is now open.  The campus deadline is September 10, 2026. Students or alumni interested in learning more about the program should reach out to the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at awards@uark.edu or 479-575-8673.

Office of Nationally Competitive Awards: University of Arkansas students and recent alumni interested in applying for scholarships and fellowships and faculty wishing to identify competitive students should contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at awards@uark.edu or 479-575-3771. More information is available at awards.uark.edu.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation.