- Cheyenne Gerlach, a DeWitt native who attended Tri-County Junior-Senior High School, has been awarded a Fulbright to pursue a master’s degree in development and rural innovation at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Gerlach wrote her own curriculum during her sophomore year at Nebraska, combining agriculture, social entrepreneurship, and international issues. She became interested in the Wageningen program because of its strong contribution to agriculture. “The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has allowed me to take a progressive, holistic approach to my education, which has ultimately prepared me for the Fulbright and Wageningen more than any other experience I’ve had,” she said.
- In addition to her academic achievements, Gerlach has been highly engaged with the global community. She has studied abroad and conducted research in South Africa, Benin, Kenya and Uganda. Since entrepreneurship has been a cornerstone of her education and professional experience, Gerlach is interested in continuing this while abroad. While in the Netherlands, she plans to get involved with StartLife, an organization that empowers local entrepreneurs in Wageningen to build and grow startups in the food and agriculture sectors.
- The flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright provides fully-funded opportunities to spend 1 academic year abroad in a specific host country. The heart of the Fulbright exchange program is the mission to foster mutual understanding between nations, advance knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Fulbright students build lasting relationships and networks, as well as career-relevant skills, like cultural competency. Graduating seniors, recent alumni, and graduate students may apply for Fulbright U.S. Student awards.
