Knox College graduate Kaitlyn Pierce ’23 was named a semifinalist in the Fulbright U.S. student program. Pierce is vying for an open study/research award in Germany, where they aim to pursue a Master of Science degree in environmental governance at the University of Freiburg.

Pierce's project proposal, "Designing a Sustainable Future: Graduate Studies in Environmental Governance," underscores their deep commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. They envision their graduate studies as a transformative experience that will equip them with the interdisciplinary competence, research experience, and cross-cultural understanding necessary to forge a career in international sustainable development.

Pierce's career aspirations are rooted in a desire to work alongside political groups, businesses, and any other entities that produce a large environmental impact to work in more sustainable ways. Their time at Knox led to this career path, with a desire to engage with diverse perspectives and approaches to sustainability.

“I felt optimistic when I submitted my proposal. I put a lot of work into it with hours of editing,” Pierce said. “I’m grateful for all the help I received from various people around Knox. I feel very certain that this is what I want to do in my career.”

Finalists for the Fulbright program will be announced before June 2024. Regardless of the outcome, Pierce's dedication to advancing sustainable development and addressing climate change serves as an inspiration to their peers and the broader Knox community. They officially graduated early from Knox in the fall of 2023 and plan to walk during the 2024 Commencement ceremony. 

About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, which provides funding for students, scholars, teachers, and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Fulbright awards are highly competitive and are granted based on academic merit and leadership potential, with recipients representing a diverse range of disciplines and backgrounds. Read more information about the Fulbright Program.