SU's Boyreau-Millar Earns Fulbright UK Summer Institute Award

By SU Public Relations

SALISBURY, MD---After earning her B.S. in public health from Salisbury University, sophomore Beitris Boyreau-Millar hopes to help increase healthcare availability and affordability in rural areas.

Her route to that goal soon will take her to one of the most populous cities on Earth.

The Lancaster, PA, resident recently was selected as a recipient of the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Award, providing her with the opportunity to study at King’s College London this summer.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright is America’s flagship international exchange program. The award will allow Boyreau-Millar to enroll in two courses at the historic research institution this summer, beginning with “Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, and People,” providing an in-depth understanding of the country’s government, legal system, and monarchy.

The second, “Critical Approaches to Sustainability and Development,” will explore key theoretical approaches to climate change and the environment, the international relations of climate changes, and the economics of climate finance and adaptation.

“At SU, I’m learning about healthcare systems and how to make them more accessible and equitable for people,” she said. “I think this really relates because healthcare systems need to be sustainable in order for them to be effective. Taking this course about how systems evolve and how to make them sustainable will really relate to everything in my coursework here and to my future.”

She may not have to wait long to begin applying the lessons she learns to practical healthcare applications. A first-year member of SU’s Presidential Citizen Scholars (PCS) program, she and other members of her PCS team will focus on specific areas of community improvement to study and take action on in their second year.

She hopes to select a health-related project, noting that, like the systems she plans to study abroad, the goal is for that project to be sustainable, as well, continuing to impact the community even after her time in the program is over.

She noted several SU faculty who assisted with her Fulbright UK Summer Institute Award application, including PCS coordinator Ryan Weaver, who provided a letter of recommendation; and Drs. Kristen Walton and Sally Perret, director and associate director, respectively, of SU’s Nationally Competitive Fellowships Office. She also cited Dr. Brandye Nobiling, director of the Public Health Program in SU’s College of Health and Human Services, as an influence in her academic pursuits.

“SU has done a great job teaching me about different aspects of the public health industry,” she said. “It has given me a very well-rounded experience learning the different pieces that fall into public health, especially how to communicate with different groups, which is really important in healthcare. My classes are hands-on and very relevant.”

Beyond the classroom, Boyreau-Millar said she hoped the Fulbright SU Summer Institute program would provide a number of cultural opportunities, as well.

“I want to take advantage of everything London has to offer,” she said. “I’m open to whatever experiences come my way.”

Students interested in applying for the Fulbright UK Summer Institute program or other nationally competitive fellowships or scholarships should fill out an interest form or email Walton.

Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.