MSU Sees Surge in Fulbright Finalists: Record Number of Students Achieve Prestigious Recognition

Four students from Mississippi State University (MSU) have made history by becoming Fulbright finalists for 2025, marking a significant achievement for the school.

Julian Dedeaux from Biloxi, Alijah Jones from Greenwood, Lily Langstaff from Southaven, and Alyssa Williams from Franklin, Tennessee, were selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program. This program fosters international educational exchange, allowing students to teach and research abroad.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum expressed pride in these students, noting the university’s strong academic foundation that supports their global ambitions: “I have every confidence these outstanding students will represent our university with great distinction.”

Here’s a closer look at the finalists:

• Julian Dedeaux graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, earning summa cum laude honors. He will work as an English teaching assistant in Spain’s Canary Islands. Dedeaux also minored in Spanish and studied abroad at the University of Alcalá.
• Alijah Jones will assist in teaching English in Italy. He holds a political science degree with cum laude honors. Jones completed a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and was a fellow at the University of Michigan.
• Lily Langstaff plans to study flood policy in the Netherlands. She graduated with a degree in wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture, also earning summa cum laude honors. Langstaff has been recognized as a Udall Scholar.
• Alyssa Williams aims to research the cognitive psychology of learning in the Netherlands. She holds bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and psychology with summa cum laude honors and has received prestigious awards such as the Barry Goldwater and Astronaut Scholarships.

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, has enabled over 400,000 participants from 160 countries to engage in education and research worldwide. This initiative has a long history of fostering cultural exchange and solving global challenges. For more details, you can explore the [Fulbright Program’s website](http://www.fulbrightprogram.org).

The high number of Fulbright finalists from MSU highlights the university’s commitment to developing academically exceptional and culturally aware students. Applications for this esteemed program are managed by MSU’s Office of Prestigious External Scholarships. Interested students can reach out to Director David Hoffman for guidance at dhoffman@honors.msstate.edu.

As the world becomes more interconnected, the importance of programs like Fulbright grows. They provide students with invaluable experiences that shape their careers and perspectives, allowing them to contribute positively to global society.

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