Two recent graduates of Meredith College, Aniston Sennett, ’25, and Claire Jacoby, ’24, have been selected for prestigious Fulbright programs. Sennett is participating in the Binational Business Program in Mexico, while Jacoby received a Fulbright Research Award to Italy.

Aniston Sennett, ’25

Through the Binational Business Program, which supports internships with Mexican and multinational companies, Aniston Sennett, ’25, will be based in Mexico City for 10 months doing an internship and taking master’s-level classes in international business.

“I will be focused on learning all about Mexican business practices, culture, and making strong connections. I am ecstatic to be speaking Spanish every day and learning more about myself and the people around me,” Sennett said. “I want to build cross-cultural relationships and learn all about Mexican culture while sharing aspects of my own, building bridges of mutual understanding.”

The Fulbright program in Mexico will build on Sennett’s majors in Business Administration and Spanish.

“By enhancing my language skills, deepening my cultural understanding, exploring another country, and connecting with new people, it’s the perfect way to enrich my education and strengthen the cross-cultural bridges between the U.S. and Mexico,” Sennett said.

Sennett is looking forward to learning while building connections through the program.

“I am most looking forward to the relationships I will make throughout this program. I love meeting new people and exploring different cultures,” Sennett said. “Having the opportunity to do that while exploring a new country is something I have been dreaming of doing for years. Being able to share my experiences at the end of this experience will be the perfect way to connect cultures.”

Claire Jacoby, ’24

A psychology major at Meredith, Claire Jacoby will complete a research project focused on the transition to motherhood, examining the similarities and differences in how Italian and American mothers define their maternal identity. Her project is titled “The Transition to Motherhood in American and Italian Women Living in Italy.”

“It allows me to further develop my research skills and learn new perspectives on approaching data,” Jacoby said. “This experience will prepare me for the rigor of graduate school and ultimately support me as I pursue a career in perinatal psychology research.”

Studying abroad as a sophomore through the semester-long Meredith in Italy program made Jacoby want to return someday. Working as a student assistant in the Office of International Programs after she returned to Meredith led her to learn about the Fulbright research opportunities.

“I knew I had wanted to gain post-baccalaureate research experience before applying to graduate school, so applying for a Fulbright made the most sense,” Jacoby said. “It allowed me to intersect my passion for psychological research and studying Italian culture.”

Meredith Support Essential to Success

Both Jacoby and Sennett said support from Meredith College throughout the application process was important to their success. A major part of their support system was Dr. Vilma Concha-Chiaraviglio, who serves as Meredith’s Fulbright Scholarship Advisor.

“Dr. Concha was extremely supportive throughout my application cycle and really believed in the strength of my project and application,” Jacoby said. “The application process is rigorous but rewarding. It takes about a year of revisions and feedback from Dr. Concha and the Fulbright committee to solidify the pieces of your application.”

Sennett described the extensive application process, which included a written application requiring multiple essays and an interview.

“After submitting in October 2024, I waited until January to hear that I’d advanced to the interview round. I was thrilled and immediately began preparing with my advisor and professors,” Sennett recalled. “The interview was entirely in Spanish with a virtual panel of six. It was nerve-wracking, but it helped me improve my interviewing skills, and I completed my first interview entirely in Spanish.”

Sennett said faculty members had suggested the Fulbright program to her, but conversations with Dr. Concha-Chiaraviglio solidified her decision to apply and helped her identify the best program. Both Fulbright recipients also expressed gratitude for support from faculty in their majors and others at Meredith.

Sennett and Jacoby were among the 1,800 grant recipients chosen for Fulbright programs from more than 8,000 applications in 2025.

Interested in Exploring the Fulbright Program?

Dr. Concha-Chiaraviglio notes that alumnae as well as current students can apply for Fulbright programs. To learn more about how to apply to Fulbright, contact Vilma Concha-Chiaraviglio at conchav@meredith.edu.