July 12, 2022
Fulbright recipient Jesus Maldonado ’18, ’21G bound for Colombia
By Michael Hagan ’15, ’19G
In the early months of 2020, Jesus Maldonado ’18, ’21G was studying for a master’s degree in higher education administration at Providence College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Latin and Latina/o American studies a year and a half before.
Maldonado had plans to make progress toward a career in global education that year. He was set to conduct research and participate in workshops in Ecuador and to travel to Cuba. The pandemic made both trips impossible.
So, like millions of other students, Maldonado’s plans changed. He continued his graduate studies, and in December 2020 began working at the Newport Academy — an inpatient rehabilitation center for youth struggling with addiction, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges.
“I was actually considered a frontline healthcare worker,” Maldonado said. “It was tough. I wore three masks. There were COVID outbreaks at the center.” But all things considered, “I was happy not to be stuck at home.”
In August 2021, Maldonado left the Newport Academy and began work in undergraduate admissions at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. It was around this time that the Fulbright Program, the flagship international exchange program of the U.S. government, returned to his radar.
“I always knew what a Fulbright was — it’s prestigious, you go abroad, you represent the United States. I remember reading about Fulbright students and thinking they were so cool,” Maldonado said.
So, when he got an email in June 2021 inviting young alumni and graduate students to learn more about Fulbright opportunities by contacting Darra Mulderry, Ph.D., director of national and international fellowships and associate director of PC’s Center for Engaged Learning, he reached out.
“Dr. Mulderry told me I would be a great candidate. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. She helped me reflect on my life and experiences to prepare to write the application. And once I did, she helped me edit and refine,” Maldonado said.
Maldonado submitted his application in October. Then came the wait.
“You apply, and then there’s nothing left you can do,” Maldonado remembered.
It was April 2022 before he learned he had been chosen. Maldonado is one of five Providence College alumni offered English teaching assistantships from the Fulbright program, the most in a single year for the college. The others are Sara Conway ’21 (Taiwan); Evan Diliberto ’22 (Slovak Republic); Grace Maffucci ’22 (Mexico); and Elisabeth Sudbey ’21 (South Korea).
Maldonado’s Fulbright will take him to Colombia, where he will be an English teaching assistant at the Universidad Industrial de Santander in Bucaramanga. He will also be responsible for conducting a community engagement project that he will design and propose during his first months in Colombia.
In addition to Mulderry, Maldonado cites other Providence College faculty and staff as being indispensable to his development as a scholar and professional and instrumental in his Fulbright achievement. These include Rev. David Orique, O.P., associate professor of history; Ana Cecilia Iraheta, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish; and Suzanne Bornschein, M.D., who was formerly staff physician in the Student Health Center.
Bornschein played a critical role in Maldonado’s experience at Providence College. Maldonado was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while a student and called Bornschein his “biggest supporter.” In addition to providing clinical care, Bornschein advised Maldonado in an independent academic study of resilience and the human spirit.
“I probably would not have graduated without her,” Maldonado said.
Maldonado was an active participant in Model Organization of American States as a student. In graduate school, he played with the mariachi band at Brown University.
Maldonado was born in Ecuador and came to the United States at age 6, growing up in Waterbury, Conn. He hopes he will influence students and help them become global citizens. He is optimistic about investment in international education by the Colombian government.
“If I can go there and help bridge the gap between Colombia and other parts of the world and help connect students with opportunities, it will have been more than worthwhile,” he said.
“Lots of students in the United States who study Spanish want to go abroad in Europe — to speak Spanish in Spain. I hope that more and more students will want to study in Latin America.”
And about his Providence College experience generally?
“I’m just really grateful. I’m grateful for PC and especially for the people I met who have helped me.”
