Edmondson, Heslon named Fulbright Student Program semi-finalists

In the last 20 years, Lipscomb University has produced 14 Fulbright scholars finalists.

Kim Chaudoin  |  02/06/2026

Two Lipscomb University students have been named semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, placing them among a highly competitive group of applicants nationwide.

Lipscomb students Claire Edmondson and Ellie Heslon applied for Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETA). Edmondson has proposed an ETA in Greece, while Heslon has proposed an ETA in Spain. Their applicants have been recommended as semi-finalists to their prospective host countries. Their applications are now forwarded to the appropriate committees in the host countries. Finalists will be announced later this spring. In the past 20 years, Lipscomb University has produced 14 Fulbright finalists, 11 undergraduate students and three graduate students, with 19 total known Fulbright recipients overall.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is one of the nation’s most selective international exchange programs. It is designed to foster mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and other countries through academic study, research and English-language teaching. Applicants undergo a rigorous, multi-stage review process, with only the strongest proposals advancing to semi-finalist status before consideration by host-country selection committees.

“We are incredibly proud of Claire and Ellie and congratulate them on this tremendous achievement,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “The Fulbright Program rewards intellectual curiosity and a commitment to service, qualities students like Claire and Ellie develop through rigorous academics and experiences that prepare them for lives of purpose. This recognition reflects the kind of transformative education we strive to provide at Lipscomb and our continued leadership as a top-tier, nationally recognized university.”

According to Alan Bradshaw, dean of the Honors College, reaching the semi-finalist stage is often the most challenging phase of the Fulbright process.

“To be named a Fulbright semi-finalist means that an application successfully advanced through a rigorous national screening process after being nominated by Lipscomb's own Major Scholarships Committee,” said Bradshaw. “Claire and Ellie's proposals were exceptionally strong. They both involve a deep engagement with their host countries, and both very thoughtfully integrate their academic and personal experiences. Their advancement to the semi-finalist stage is strong affirmation of their ability to represent the United States through meaningful cultural exchange.”

The Fulbright Program offers two primary pathways for students: the English Teaching Assistantship, which places recipients in classrooms abroad to support English-language instruction and cultural exchange, and the Study/Research Award, which funds independent academic or creative projects in partnership with international institutions.

Claire Edmondson

A Nashville native, Edmondson is a graduate student in Lipscomb’s Lanier Center for Archaeology, pursuing a master’s degree in archaeological and biblical studies. She holds an undergraduate degree in classics from the University of Iowa.

If selected as a finalist, Edmondson will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Athens, Greece, at the Athens College-Hellenic American Educational Foundation, where she will be assigned to work with elementary-high school students, either helping with English classes, working in Athens College’s University Applications and Counseling Office or working in the school’s library.

“I am incredibly excited to be selected as a Fulbright semi-finalist,” Edmondson said. “It’s truly an honor to make it to this stage of the process, and I am looking forward to the remainder of the Fulbright process.”

During her time at Lipscomb, Edmondson has volunteered and interned with the Lanier Center of Archaeology, assisting with conferences, Bisons Weekend open house and the management of archaeological collections housed in Beaman Library.

My Lipscomb experience has been great,” she said. “The faculty and staff within my program and outside of my program have been incredibly supportive and helpful in not only my academics, but also personally, as well in getting to know myself and fellow students to help us grow academically and personally.”

Edmondson said the university’s Christ-centered environment has played a key role in her academic and spiritual formation.

“Being at Lipscomb has allowed me to be around professors, faculty and other students of faith, which has allowed me to grow spiritually by having that support while pursuing my academic career and growing spiritually.”

She credits the Honors College with helping guide her through the Fulbright application process, noting the support of Bradshaw and Honors College program director Kristen Thompson.

“The Honors College helped me prepare for this opportunity by meeting with me in person to discuss why I was interested in this opportunity and providing guidance through the process,” said Edmondson. “Dr. Bradshaw and Kristen Thompson (Honors College program director) were major helps in giving me feedback to improve my application. I am thankful for their willingness to support me in this process, which helped me become a semi-finalist for the Fulbright.”

Following graduation, Edmondson plans to pursue a Ph.D. in classical or archaeological studies, to work in the archaeological field and teach at the collegiate level.

Ellie Heslon

A California native who was raised in France and now calls Florida home, Heslon is a senior English major with minors in art and Spanish. 

If selected as a finalist, Heslon will be placed in Galicia, Spain, where she would teach English at an institution needing additional instructional support. In addition to her teaching role, she plans to conduct research exploring the relationship between art and memory by creating art with individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. She also hopes to complete illustrations for a children’s book she has written.

“As someone who grew up as a missionary kid, the uncertainty of the future meant that my dreams for the future were never very concrete because I wasn’t sure where I would be living,” explained Heslon. “The Fulbright program is special because it has been a concrete dream of mine since first hearing about it in high school. Even if I do not make it any further along in the process, it is a huge honor to be selected as a semi-finalist, and it has made me so appreciative of the people who have encouraged me along the way.”

Heslon has been very involved in campus life, where she has been part of the LIFE program, the Lipscomb University Gospel Choir, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, served as an Office of Intercultural Development intern, was a solo exhibitor in Lipscomb’s Open Gallery, participated in Lipscomb’s study abroad program in Costa Rica, served as Student Government Association senator her junior year and is a member of the Alpha Chi Honors Society.

Lipscomb has been a place that Heslon said has been formative not only academically, but spiritually.

“I’ve experienced many holy moments here — from gospel choir, Bible classes and powerful moments in the LIFE program, to coffees with friends in Starbucks and mornings when the campus is quiet and still,” she said. “Lipscomb has allowed me to meet people who have challenged my beliefs and encouraged me to see God bigger. I have gained a deeper, more comprehensive awareness of God's grace. I am grateful for the people at Lipscomb who have challenged me, inspired me and modeled what it means to follow Christ to me.”

Though she is not an Honors College student, Heslon said Bradshaw and other faculty members invested significant time in helping her refine her application.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the professors who believed in me and helped me see what was possible,” she said. “I am very appreciative to Dr. Bradshaw who spent countless hours helping me with the application from the brainstorming stages to the sendoff.”

After graduation, Heslon hopes to use her love of language, art and advocacy in a career that serves others, potentially through teaching, art therapy or translation and embassy work.