As we continue to #StandForFulbright, we’re pleased to share this message from Dr. Walter McCollum, President and Chair, Fulbright Association National Board of Directors, about the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award (find out more about the award and its past recipients at https://fulbright.org/programs/lifetime-achievement-award/):
On behalf of the Fulbright Association’s Board of Directors, I am deeply honored to announce that Dr. Mary Ellen Heian Schmider has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Schmider’s extraordinary career spans more than five decades of impactful service in education, leadership, and global engagement. From her early days in the classroom to her distinguished roles in higher education and nonprofit leadership, she has devoted her life to empowering students, strengthening institutions, and advancing the Fulbright mission worldwide. Her legacy is defined by visionary leadership, deep compassion, and an unwavering commitment to fostering international understanding.
In addition to this highest honor, the Fulbright Association is proud to recognize four exceptional alumni whose contributions reflect the values and global impact of the Fulbright community:
Dr. Jagannath Pati – A transformative figure in child welfare and governance reform, whose 25 years of work in India have fortified legal protections, enhanced transparency, and delivered scalable solutions that benefit thousands of vulnerable children.
Dr. Wael Rashid Abdulmajeed – A distinguished scholar and global advocate for engineering education and international collaboration. Over three decades, he has mentored Iraqi scholars, modernized curricula, and advanced accreditation standards across the Middle East and Asia, exemplifying Fulbright’s mission of using science and education for the public good.
Dr. Gene Tsudik – A Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine, and a Fulbright scholar and three-time Fulbright specialist. His pioneering work in computer security, privacy, and applied cryptography continues to safeguard global communities and advance technological knowledge.
Dr. Philip O. Geier – Executive Director of the Davis United World College Scholars Program, founder of the Projects for Peace initiative, and former president and chair of the Fulbright Association’s Board of Directors. His lifelong dedication to international education and transformative philanthropy has built bridges across cultures and empowered generations of citizen diplomats.
Together, these remarkable individuals embody the spirit of Fulbright—advancing peace through education, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
On behalf of the Board, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Mary Ellen Heian Schmider and each of our honored alumni. Their achievements inspire us all to continue building a more peaceful, interconnected world through the power of education and exchange.