The University of Tulsa is proud to announce that one student and one recent alumna have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Scholar English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Awards for the 2026-27 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Xayda Alexander of Owasso graduated in 2025 with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and psychology. Christian Alexander Barkman of New Jersey is a current English literature doctoral student and an instructor of record for the Writing Program at UTulsa. In 2023, he received a bachelor’s degree in English from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Fulbright Program is an esteemed international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected based on academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.
The University of Tulsa has consistently had at least two Fulbright award winners for the past three years. Furthermore, UTulsa has over a 35% winning rate for these highly competitive awards across campus.
“The Fulbright Program fosters personal growth while offering valuable opportunities for future professional and academic development,” said Alexander, who will travel to the Galicia region of Spain, one of the most competitive locations for an ETA. There, she will assist in teaching English across various subjects in plurilingual schools where the primary languages are Galician, Spanish and English.
Alexander thanked Professor Bruce Willis (Spanish) and Applied Professor David Rettinger (psychology) for recommending her for the award and credited Mav Henningsen, UTulsa’s manager of global programs and fellowship advising, for inspiring her to apply for the Fulbright scholarship. “Mav helped me with all components of the application for this prestigious position. They helped me gain confidence in myself,” she said. “When I learned that I was a finalist, I felt ecstatic, honored and accomplished; all of my hard work and waiting had paid off.”
Alexander noted that her experience in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, as a Gilman Scholar in 2025 convinced her to pursue teaching abroad. “With my travel experiences made possible by UTulsa, I decided I want to live my life with a dedication to cultural exchange and mutual understanding.”
Barkman will travel to the Republic of Malta in Southern Europe, where he will act as a cultural ambassador, educator and writer. He will be assigned to the University of Malta’s Centre for Academic & English Communication Skills. While there, he will strive to deepen his multicultural awareness and build a bridge of mutual understanding between Malta and America through creative projects. “I am no stranger to travel. I grew up travelling to Europe, primarily Portugal, being the son of a Portuguese immigrant” said Barkman. “But when I visited Malta on my honeymoon, I fell in love with the country. It endeared itself to me in a special way.”
Barkman credits multiple UTulsa staff for supporting him during the application process. “I owe Mav Henningsen at the Center for Global Engagement all the thanks in the world,” he said, “also, my recommenders, Provost Jennifer L. Airey and Chair of English Lars Engle, who both continually awe me with their generosity and wisdom.”
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright scholars exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections and work to address complex global challenges.
UTulsa’s Center for Global Engagement offers comprehensive support to all UTulsa students for national scholarships, fellowships and grants to create pathways for educational aspirations and engagement with the global community.