George Washington University School of Nursing Associate Professor Catherine Cox, Ph.D., RN, CEN, CNE, FAAN, ANEF, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the 2025–2026 academic year. The award, one of the most prestigious international academic honors sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, will support Cox’s work in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen nursing education at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC).
The Fulbright Program is known for fostering mutual understanding between nations through academic and professional exchange. Each year, over 800 U.S. scholars teach or conduct research abroad through the program, collaborating with institutions across more than 160 countries. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported over 400,000 individuals—including Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and heads of state—making it one of the most impactful global exchange initiatives in the world.
For Cox, receiving this award marks the culmination of a decades-long aspiration. “I have wanted to become a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for over two decades, but multiple military moves stifled that dream—until now,” she said. “This is the right time to highlight my talents, including my military and academic experience, while networking and fostering cultural learning. Being a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Trinidad and Tobago will allow me to expand my portfolio with both international and interdisciplinary collaborations.”
During her time in Trinidad and Tobago, Cox will focus on advancing USC’s Department of Nurse Education through a three-pronged initiative: building research capacity, providing curriculum consultation, and leading faculty development programming. Her appointment falls under the Fulbright "teaching" category, which encompasses both classroom instruction and institutional consultation.
Cox’s journey to securing the Fulbright began in March 2024, when she attended a webinar on U.S. Scholar opportunities in the Western Hemisphere. There, she learned that USC in Trinidad and Tobago was actively seeking nursing scholars. “I immediately contacted the university’s Fulbright representative, who connected me with Dr. Phyllis Woolford, Director of the Department of Nurse Education at USC,” Cox explained. “Since then, we’ve been working closely together to shape the scope of the project to align both with her department’s needs and my academic goals.”
This collaborative planning effort involved key USC leaders, including President Dr. Colwick M. Wilson and Interim Provost Dr. Len Archer. Together, they crafted a Fulbright project centered on building sustainable academic infrastructure, with Cox’s leadership expertise in research development and curriculum innovation at the core.
Cox believes the project’s impact will extend well beyond USC, creating benefits for both her personal professional growth and for GW Nursing as a whole. “This opportunity comes at a pivotal moment in my career as I apply for promotion to full professor,” she said. “The experience of working internationally will enrich my perspective, deepen my expertise, and better equip me to contribute meaningfully to the George Washington University upon my return.”
She also emphasized how international collaboration fuels innovation. “Exposure to different healthcare systems, cultural norms, and teaching methodologies broadens your perspective. It inspires new approaches to nursing education, research, and practice,” she said. “It also opens doors for future collaborations, research opportunities, and student exchanges that will elevate the global presence and impact of GW Nursing.”
As a Fulbright Scholar, Cox will serve as an ambassador of American academia, forging relationships and creating new opportunities for transnational academic exchange. Her role includes not only strengthening USC’s existing infrastructure but also laying the groundwork for future partnerships between the two institutions.
“Being a Fulbright Scholar isn’t just about what I can give during my time abroad—it’s about what I bring back,” she noted. “I plan to return with fresh insights, expanded networks, and a deeper appreciation for cultural nuance in nursing education. These assets will benefit not just my own scholarship but also that of my students, colleagues, and the broader GW community.”
The Fulbright Program’s mission—to build global connections through education, dialogue, and service—is perfectly aligned with Cox’s professional ethos. With a background that bridges military healthcare leadership and academic service, she is uniquely positioned to thrive in this role and to make a lasting contribution in the Caribbean.
Her work in Trinidad and Tobago will also serve as a model for how U.S.-based nurse educators can contribute to global health equity through meaningful partnerships. As she helps shape the next generation of nurse educators at USC, Cox will be fostering sustainable academic development in a region where trained nursing faculty are critical to meeting population health needs.
In every aspect, her Fulbright project embodies the program’s guiding principle: that international academic engagement creates stronger institutions, more informed citizens, and a more interconnected world.
To learn more about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org.