Natalie Schirmacher '24 CLAS Named to Inaugural Cohort of Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows

Villanova, Pa., (September 25, 2024)—Natalie Schirmacher '24 CLAS has been selected as one of 29 individuals nationwide to join the inaugural cohort of Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows, a prestigious program established to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis. This fellowship is dedicated to advancing civil rights, justice and equality—both in the U.S. and globally—reflecting Lewis’ lifelong commitment to nonviolent activism and social change. President Biden announced the first cohort earlier this month at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

In addition to being named a Fulbright-John Lewis Fellow, Schirmacher is a Fulbright U.S. Student grantee for the 2024-25 award cycle. As the recipient of the Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Award, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research at Tampere University in Finland. Her passion for this field was sparked during her time abroad in Amman, Jordan, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Now in Finland, she continues to explore the intersection of state violence and community healing under the guidance of Dr. Elise Feron.

Schirmacher graduated from Villanova with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Spanish Language and Literature, and minors in Peace and Justice, Political Science, Naval Science, and Arab and Islamic Studies. Her academic and extracurricular achievements reflect her deep commitment to justice, peace and community engagement. In addition to her academic pursuits, she was a member of Villanova’s Naval ROTC program and served as the editor of the Belle Air Yearbook. A dedicated volunteer, she worked with the San Diego-based organizations Savvy Giving by Design and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, supporting vulnerable communities and fostering inclusivity.

Reflecting on her time as a CLAS student, Schirmacher’s most memorable experience was studying abroad in Argentina. “Though my Global Interdisciplinary Studies: Latin American Studies major, I was required to study abroad, which led me to spending a semester in Buenos Aires studying social movements and human rights,” she explains. “It was an incredibly fulfilling and enriching opportunity, especially as I was able to bring what I had learned overseas into my Villanova classes.”

Schirmacher’s selection as a Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellow further solidifies Villanova University’s legacy of cultivating scholars who embody the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity and love, while making a meaningful impact on the global stage. Villanova students regularly achieve some of the nation's highest honors, with 92 Fulbright U.S. Student Grants awarded to Villanovans since 2020, reflecting the University’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and service to the greater good.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit our website.