Dr. ‘Dimeji Togunde has made a remarkable achievement by being selected for a Fulbright United States International Education Administrators award to France and Senegal (HBCU IEA Award) in the academic year 2025-2026. The award will allow Dr. Togunde to attend the International Education Administrators Seminar from March 29 - April 12, 2025.
“As a Spelman College representative and a cultural ambassador for the United States, my objectives are to elevate Spelman College's global footprints by exploring opportunities for strategic partnerships with academic universities and organizations in France and Senegal in the areas of study abroad, student exchange, and faculty research collaboration; gain knowledge about the trends in higher education and their impacts on international education in the host countries, and learn and share best practices in international education,” said Dr. Togunde.
Dr. Togunde’s Fulbright honor is a testament to Spelman College's academic excellence. Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Awards are fully funded opportunities for U.S. higher education administrators to participate in intensive two-week seminars abroad to learn about other countries’ higher education systems. By participating in a Fulbright IEA seminar, educators can build their institution’s capacity for international education, gain a cross-cultural perspective, and open doors to collaboration with colleagues and students throughout the world.
Dr. Togunde has been the College’s chief international officer since 2011. Dr. Togunde provides guidance and direction for all of the College’s global initiatives. As the focal point of contact for information about Spelman’s global activities, he is responsible for building/strengthening strategic international partnership engagements to enhance student international exchanges, faculty and students’ research, and students’ global learning experiences. Reporting directly to the provost, he oversees the Office of Semester Study Abroad, Cultural Orientation program, G-STEM Program, Asian Studies Program, International Affairs Center, International Student Services and Programming, and all study abroad programs led by faculty and staff.
“Dr. Togunde continues to be an important scholar and voice in global education. His commitment to Spelman has provided significant networks and resources. His knowledge and experiences as well as high levels of engagement globally and nationally, are why he and his significant contribution are being recognized. Spelman is fortunate to have such an impactful administrator, scholar, and advocate for global education. He has been significantly instrumental in establishing and solidifying the Spelman Quality Enhancement Program in global education,” said Dr. Pamela E. Scott-Johnson, C'82, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “We congratulate him on the honor for which he truly deserves. His area of focus during his award will broaden and open new avenues for faculty and students as well as significantly enhance our knowledge within the historical understanding of role as peoples of the African Diaspora."
Fulbright is the world's largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. Fulbright alumni have become heads of state, judges, ambassadors, cabinet ministers, CEOs, and university presidents, as well as leading journalists, artists, scientists, and teachers. They include 62 Nobel Laureates, 95 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 Fulbrighters have participated in the program.