Bailey College Professors Receive Fulbright Awards to Serve in Spain, Chile

Two faculty members from the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics have been awarded prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards for the 2026-2027 academic year, supporting cross-cultural academic exchanges in Spain and Chile.

Natasha Neumann, an associate professor of education, received an award to teach and conduct research in the spring semester, starting in January 2027, at the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera in Valencia, Spain. Neumann is also a co-coordinator of the MS Educational Leadership and Administration Program (ELAP) in Cal Poly’s School of Education.

Jasmine Nation, an associate professor of liberal studies, has been awarded a fellowship to collaborate with colleagues at the Universidad del Bío-Bío in Concepción, Chile, to co-teach graduate courses, mentor teacher researchers, and support cross-cultural science education.

These well-deserved honors reflect the commitment of Dr. Neumann and Dr. Nation to advancing educational equity, leadership, and international collaboration,” said Nishi Rajakaruna, a Cal Poly biological sciences professor, two-time Fulbright US Scholar (2016, Sri Lanka; 2022, South Africa) and Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassador (2024-2026). “We know their work abroad will foster meaningful cross-cultural exchange and bring valuable insights back to Cal Poly.

Neumann’s current academic interests include dual language immersion policy and practices, access to multilingual programs for English language learners, and equity-centered educational leadership. In Spain, Neumann’s teaching will focus on California’s bilingual educational policies and history, the expansion of TK-12 dual language immersion programs, and pedagogy and leadership to support current state multilingual initiatives.

“I will also research Valencia’s multilingual policies, including how the university I am partnering with is preparing a multilingual teaching force inclusive of Spanish, English, and the local Valencià language,” Neumann said. “I plan to do a comparative study across multilingual policy, leadership, and pedagogy in California and Valencia.”

Fluent in Spanish and English, Neumann has previously served as an elementary and a middle school Spanish teacher as well as an elementary school principal. During her time abroad, she’ll be communicating, writing and teaching in both Spanish and English, while learning as much as she can about the regional language during her stay (Valencià and Spanish are the official languages of the province).

“I am excited to collaborate with faculty, students, and educational leaders at Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera who are committed to multilingual learning,” Neumann said. “Both California and Valencia are developing and championing multilingual policies in teacher preparation and K-12 education. We have much to learn from one another.”

Jasmine Nation (left) and Nishi Rajakaruna (right).

Nation’s academic interests include STEM learning and teaching, professional development of teachers and environmental and place-based education (immersing students in local environments and helping them address everyday problems).

At Cal Poly, in addition to teaching science-focused liberal studies courses, Nation has helped develop and coordinate programs such as Nuestra Ciencia with Dr. Alejandra Yep, an initiative where undergraduates teach science in Spanish to elementary school students from dual-language schools. Nation also co-directs the Central Coast Science Project, which provides innovative science learning opportunities and fosters a community of practice for local K-12 teachers.  

Nation, who received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award and taught English for a year in 2010-11 in Manaus, Brazil, will serve in Chile from August through December. Nation will research best practices for preparing science teachers while collaborating with Chilean counterparts. Her work will include helping to guide and encourage a culturally responsive science curriculum, including potential ways to connect youth culture or problems to lesson plans.

“The programs I have established continue with the primary goal to encourage students from preschool to college to feel excited about and empowered by science,” Nation said. “I seek to drive curiosity about everyday phenomena and connection to students’ lives with authentic investigations.”

That might mean car safety design learning activities for high school students as they obtain their drivers’ licenses or creating STEM design projects related to the story elementary school students are reading.

Nation, who will also teach in Spanish, said that science, Spanish, and teaching have been common threads throughout her career.

“The faculty and teachers in Chile will be subject area experts and place experts who know their students’ cultures in so many different ways,” Nation said. “And I have a framework to coach and guide during class. I am excited to learn with and from Chilean educators at the public school and university levels who are committed to improving science education.”

Nation added that she’s enthusiastic about the living experience abroad and plans to bring her family as well.

“I am excited to share this experience with my husband (who works remotely) and two sons, who will be 3 and 6,” Nation said. “My older son is currently in kindergarten at a Spanish dual-immersion elementary school, and we plan to enroll him in a bilingual school in Concepción. I would love to facilitate a pen pal program with my son’s school.”

Anyone interested in applying for Fulbright US Scholar Awards can do so at the following link and contact Rajakaruna at nrajakar@calpoly.edu and Cari Vanderkar, Cal Poly assistant vice provost for international programs, at civander@calpoly.edu with any questions for guidance.