{"id":9,"date":"2024-11-05T20:09:29","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T20:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/student-fellowships-and-awards\/?page_id=9"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:56:12","slug":"office-of-student-fellowships-awards-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Office of Student Fellowships &#038; Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-9\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-9-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2024\/11\/JCB_03_WEB.jpg\" width=\"1100\" height=\"1467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2024\/11\/JCB_03_WEB.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2024\/11\/JCB_03_WEB-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2024\/11\/JCB_03_WEB-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" alt=\"A person with long blonde hair smiles while standing outdoors in front of a tree. They are wearing a denim jacket over a black dress with white polka dots. The background includes greenery and a hint of parked cars.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/jennifer-cognard-black\">Dr. Jennifer Cognard-Black (\"JCB\")<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Professor of English and Director of<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>National Fellowships and Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As part of St. Mary\u2019s commitment to academic and professional excellence, the National Fellowships &amp; Awards Office (NFAO) supports current students and alumni who wish to apply for nationally competitive funding opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>NFAO is particularly focused on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mentoring seniors and recent graduates with applications for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/us.fulbrightonline.org\/about\/fulbright-us-student-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Student Fulbright Awards<\/a>\u00a0to teach English, go to graduate school, or do research internationally;<\/li>\n<li>Assisting students intending to pursue a career in public service with applying for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.obama.org\/programs\/voyager-scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Voyager Scholarship Awards<\/a>\u00a0that help cover the cost of tuition but also provide professional development funds beyond graduation;<\/li>\n<li>Supporting future leaders in both environmental fields as well as tribal policy and health care fields in applying for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.udall.gov\/OurPrograms\/Scholarship\/Scholarship.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Udall Scholarships<\/a>\u00a0that offer assistance with tuition, fees, room and board, and books; and<\/li>\n<li>Helping undergraduate researchers in STEM fields in pursuing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/goldwaterscholarship.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goldwater Scholarships<\/a>\u00a0that provide funding towards tuition, room and board, and books.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each year, selected mentoring cohorts for Fulbright, Goldwater, Udall, and Voyager receive advice and writing support from Dr. Cognard-Black as they prepare their application materials.<\/p>\n<p>Nationally competitive awards are more than just a way to secure funding for teaching or research opportunities. They are transformative experiences that provide students with a competitive edge for graduate or professional school and for future careers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"\/national-fellowships-awards\/smcm-fulbright-program\/\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-earth-americas\"><\/i>SMCM Fulbright Mentoring Cohort Nomination Process<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"recent-recipients\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-9-2\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title \" style=\"text-align: ;\">Recent SMCM Fulbright <strong>Recipients<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Surisitee Motiram is living and working in Colombia on a 2024-2025 English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award.<\/strong> When asked about the trip, Surisitee said, \u201cAs I embark on this journey, I\u2019m filled with excitement and gratitude. It\u2019s not just about where I\u2019m going; it\u2019s about the connections I\u2019ll make, the knowledge I\u2019ll gain, and the impact I hope to create.\u201d Surisitee graduated from SMCM in the spring of 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/motiram-23-selected-fulbright-eta-award\">Read More about the Award<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Surisitee-in-Colombia-768x1024.jpg\" width=\"740\" height=\"987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Surisitee-in-Colombia-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Surisitee-in-Colombia-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Surisitee-in-Colombia-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Surisitee-in-Colombia.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" title=\"Surisitee Motiram with fellow Colombian ETAs holding self-portraits\" alt=\"Four smiling people hold up their own painted self-portraits. Each portrait shows different styles and colors.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-3-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-9-3-1-1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><em>Surisitee Motiram with fellow Colombian ETAs holding self-portraits<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/John-Geyer-in-Taiwan-225x300.jpeg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/John-Geyer-in-Taiwan-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/John-Geyer-in-Taiwan-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/John-Geyer-in-Taiwan-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/John-Geyer-in-Taiwan.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" title=\"John Geyer in Taiwan\" alt=\"A person with glasses and a backpack stands on stairs, smiling at the camera.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-9-4-0-1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><em>Jon Geyer enjoying a suburban walk in Taiwan <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Summer-LaRocco-in-Taiwan2-e1737727750770-205x300.jpeg\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Summer-LaRocco-in-Taiwan2-e1737727750770-205x300.jpeg 205w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Summer-LaRocco-in-Taiwan2-e1737727750770.jpeg 616w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" title=\"Summer LaRocco in Taiwan2\" alt=\"A person in a black dress stands on a grassy field, smiling at the camera.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-4-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-9-4-1-1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><em>Summer LaRocco enjoying the beautiful landscape of Taiwan<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-4-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-4-2-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Summer LaRocco and Jon Geyer, both Asian Studies majors, traveled to Taiwan during the summer of 2024 through Fulbright-Hays Grants to study Mandarin.<\/strong> Summer said of her experience in Taiwan, \u201cFrom vacationing in the mountain village of Jiufen to picking green onions in Yilan County, I experienced distinct aspects of Taiwanese culture. Tamkang University's language program deepened my hopes of becoming a Foreign Service Officer or translator.\" In turn, Jon added, \u201cStudying in Taiwan was instrumental in improving my Chinese to a nearly professional proficiency. The experience involved long, winding bus rides through the heart of Taiwan and also finding a new home with a host family, who I will know for the rest of my life. I now face a competitive job market with an advantage, for which I am very grateful.\u201d Jon graduated from SMCM in the spring of 2024, and Summer will graduate in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-4-2-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/two-smcm-students-receive-prestigious-fulbright-hays-fellowships-summer-language-study\">Read More About the Award<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><strong>Tess Ovington is teaching English to Austrian high-school students as a U.S Teaching Assistant (USTA) for the 2024\u20132025 year<\/strong>. As a teacher in the state of Lower Austria, Tess is spending a year in Melk, a town on the River Danube, an hour west of Vienna. When asked about her Fulbright experiences, Tess said, \u201cAlongside teaching, I've had time to explore world-famous museums, attend incredible ballets and concerts, and appreciate the cultural and historical richness of Austria. Pursuing this position has afforded me opportunities I would otherwise never have had access to\u2014it\u2019s a privilege.\u201d Tess graduated from SMCM in the spring of 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-5-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"15\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2024\/06\/ovington-24-named-fulbright-austria-teaching-assistant\">Read More about the Award<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-5-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-5-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"16\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Tess-in-Austria-1-768x1024.jpg\" width=\"740\" height=\"987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Tess-in-Austria-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Tess-in-Austria-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Tess-in-Austria-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2025\/01\/Tess-in-Austria-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" title=\"Tess in Austria 1\" alt=\"A person in a black sweater leans against a stone wall with a picturesque background of a church steeple, mountains, and a lake under a blue sky.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-5-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"17\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-9-5-1-1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><em>Tess Ovington relaxing in Melk, Lower Austria<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-6\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-6-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"18\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-9\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/10\/st-marys-college-maryland-Split-1.png\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/10\/st-marys-college-maryland-Split-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/10\/st-marys-college-maryland-Split-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/10\/st-marys-college-maryland-Split-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/169\/2026\/10\/st-marys-college-maryland-Split-1-768x960.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" alt=\"Portrait of Samantha Pe\u00f1a with text: \u201cSelected by the Obamas. Meet Samantha Pe\u00f1a \u201928: 1 of only 100 students nationwide selected for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship!\u201d.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-9-6-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-6-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"19\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Obama-Chesky Voyager <strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-6-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"20\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Samantha Pe\u00f1a \u201928 was selected as one of only 100 students nationwide for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, which supports students pursuing careers in public service. Pe\u00f1a\u2019s public service focus is on expanding access to fresh, whole foods and green spaces in densely populated urban areas, particularly communities with underserved populations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cThe Voyager Scholarship has given me the privilege of no longer worrying about tuition, allowing me to focus on my extracurricular activities and coursework,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The scholarship provides Pe\u00f1a with support as she continues her studies and develops her commitment to public service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-6-1-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"21\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/samantha-pena-28-receives-obama-chesky-voyager-scholarship\">Read More About the Voyager Scholarship<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-9-7\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-9-7-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-9-7-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child\" data-index=\"22\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-container\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-row\"style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/samantha-pena-28-receives-obama-chesky-voyager-scholarship\"><div class=\"row-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/convert_to_webp_only\/public\/news\/2026\/09\/SPena_Voyager.jpg.webp?itok=MvV02hiS\" alt=\"\"><\/div><h3>Samantha Pe\u00f1a &#039;28 Receives Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship<\/h3><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-row\"style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/allison-thress-26-accepted-peace-corps\"><div class=\"row-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/convert_to_webp_only\/public\/news\/2026\/05\/Allison-Thress.jpg.webp?itok=GfrNlVTc\" alt=\"\"><\/div><h3>Allison Thress &#039;26 Accepted to Peace Corps<\/h3><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-row\"style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/samantha-pena-28-obama-chesky-voyager-scholarship-finalist\"><div class=\"row-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/convert_to_webp_only\/public\/news\/2026\/05\/Samantha-Pena-headshot.jpeg.webp?itok=3uKFkkGh\" alt=\"\"><\/div><h3>Samantha Pe\u00f1a &#039;28: Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship Finalist<\/h3><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-9-7-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"23\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/news\/category?field_news_post_category_target_id=1721\">More NFAO News<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Jennifer Cognard-Black (&#8220;JCB&#8221;) Professor of English and Director of National Fellowships and Awards As part of St. Mary\u2019s commitment to academic and professional excellence, the National Fellowships &amp; Awards Office (NFAO) supports current students and alumni who wish to apply for nationally competitive funding opportunities. NFAO is particularly focused on: Mentoring seniors and recent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":245,"featured_media":11,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/245"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9\/revisions\/113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/national-fellowships-awards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}