Selden, NY - December 13, 2016 - Dr. Yaroslava Babenchuk a senior international officer and associate dean of special programs and external partnerships at Suffolk County Community College has been selected for a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award to India in 2017.  The program focuses on helping U.S. international education professionals and senior higher education officials create empowering connections with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries. Babenchuk was notified of the award last week.
 
“This award is an honor not only for me personally, it is a great achievement for Suffolk County Community College,” Babenchuk said, adding, “while in India, I will be highlighting the excellent work we do at our college while advancing the international education agenda for Suffolk and community colleges nationwide.”
 
Dr. Babenchuk will visit higher education institutions, non-profit organizations and government bodies in the cities of New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Bhubaneswar to garner first-hand knowledge of the Indian higher education system and will have an opportunity to closely interact with her Indian counterparts.
 
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Dr. Babenchuck and our college,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay. “Dr. Babenchuk’s selection for this prestigious program is evidence of her scholarly reputation and opens a new international window of learning and collaboration to our college and students,” McKay said.
 
Dr. Babenchuk said the experience will act as a springboard for future initiatives focusing on student, faculty and staff collaboration between Suffolk County Community College and Indian higher education institutions.
 
The Fulbright Program, which aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government that awards about 1,100 grants to American scholars each year. Funded by the US government, Fulbright Scholars are chosen based on their leadership and their abilities to teach, conduct research and contribute to solutions for shared international concerns.