2024-25 Fulbright: Hayden Ullmann

Hayden Ullmann, who will graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on May 18 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences, has earned a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to teach English in Germany.

Ullmann, from Fort Worth, Texas, is a secondary education major with endorsements in French and Spanish and minors in German and international studies. A member of the Innocents Society and Teacher Scholars Academy, he is passionate about language learning and motivated to help others succeed. In his English Teaching Assistantship, he will draw upon knowledge of pedagogical methods and experience creating lesson plans gained while volunteering for Lincoln Literacy, where he taught English to immigrants, and Lincoln Lighthouse, where he mentored students in an after-school program.

In his first year of college, one of Ullmann’s professors encouraged him to learn German. He became fascinated with the culture, cuisine and people. Studying abroad at the Humboldt Institute in Germany introduced him to students from all over the world and encouraged him to further explore the country’s regional cultures and diversity.

Ullmann’s extensive experience abroad in Berlin; Andalusia, Spain; and southwestern France, provided him with strong cultural competence and the ability to connect with new people — key strengths for a successful Fulbright experience, according to Courtney Santos, director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships at Nebraska.

“Hayden is a natural leader outside the classroom,” Santos said. “He will be a wonderful representative of UNL and the United States in the Germany ETA program.”

Ullmann also plays on the men’s volleyball club team at Nebraska and is a girls’ volleyball head coach. While in Germany, he plans to continue playing, and potentially coach, the sport.

Ullmann said he applied for the Fulbright to improve his language skills and to better understand contemporary German culture. After the program, he plans to continue teaching English in Europe, pursue a graduate degree in French or comparative literature, or teach in the United States.

“I believe that it is important to set the expectation for my students that they become global citizens who are aware of and respectful of the different cultures around us, and an easy way to do that is to be an example of it myself,” he said.

The Fulbright program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, is supported by an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as well as partner countries around the world. Fulbright recipients are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.

At Nebraska, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships advises and nominates undergraduate candidates for 30 supported scholarships and fellowships. To learn more, students and campus community members should contact Courtney Santos, director of undergraduate research and fellowships, at courtney.santos@unl.edu.