Joy Chen, a May 2025 Duquesne University School of Education graduate, has been selected for a prestigious Fulbright award to Taiwan for the 2025 – 2026 academic year. 

For 11 months, Chen, an early childhood education major and Philadelphia-area native, will teach English in a classroom setting alongside a cooperative teacher who speaks fluent Mandarin. She will plan and lead lessons, design curricula, co-host language camps and share American culture with students. 
 
In addition to sharpening her Mandarin, Chen looks forward to exploring Taiwan—her mother’s home country—and meeting relatives. Chen last visited Taiwan as a toddler. 

“This is a great opportunity to travel and immerse myself in the culture while also learning and doing something related to my passion,” she said. “The School of Education has given me a lot of experience teaching in the U.S. I want to collaborate with Taiwanese teachers to learn about their curriculum and see how they teach their students.”

Chen is grateful for the chance to inspire other School of Education students to pursue opportunities with the Fulbright Program.

“This is a great way for education students to expand our worldview and teach in different environments,” said Chen. 

Duquesne’s School of Education strives to provide learning opportunities for students so they can make an impact anywhere they teach, regardless of geography.  
 
“Joy’s perseverance and drive to pursue the Fulbright speak volumes to the type of student she was and the teacher she’ll be,” said Dr. Gretchen Givens Generett, dean of Duquesne’s School of Education. “This experience abroad will undoubtedly expand her horizons and enhance cultural awareness in ways that will benefit her future students in the United States or anywhere across the globe where she may choose to use her gifts and talents. We are so proud of her.”

A presidentially appointed 12-member board supervises the Fulbright Program worldwide and approves recipient selection. The Fulbright Program is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between people of the United States and those of other countries. 
 
Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 Fulbrighters have participated in the program. Recognized as the world’s largest and most diverse international exchange program, the award allows scholars to join the distinguished ranks of alumni who have become heads of state, Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and more. 

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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Published

May 14, 2025