BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS), a division of University College, is pleased to announce that the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has selected two College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) alumni to receive awards for the 2025–26 cycle:
Ashley Benitez-Flores ‘25, from Charlotte
Connor Montanya ‘24 ‘25, from Waxhaw
Additionally, Yvette Garduno Pina ‘23 ‘25, a Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures alumna from Kannapolis, was selected as an alternate for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) in Mexico.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the flagship U.S. academic exchange program for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, research, and English teaching abroad. The program awards more than 2,150 grants in over 140 countries. Fulbright recipients are selected through a national merit-based competition, during which they are evaluated on their academic and professional achievements, leadership potential, and cultural adaptability.
Ashley Benitez-Flores ’25
Benitez-Flores, who graduated from Appalachian in May, received a Fulbright ETA and has begun her teaching assignment in Yunlin, Taiwan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Chinese.
Benitez-Flores shared, “When I received a Fulbright, I felt so happy and accomplished. It was such an honor to share the news with my family and friends. Fulbright is an opportunity to immerse myself in a culture that is quite different from my own. I hope to use what I learn and experience as a cultural ambassador that can help bridge cultural gaps between the U.S. and Taiwan. I will apply this new knowledge to the future immigration work I aspire to pursue in the future.”
Her advice for App State students who are considering applying for a Fulbright: “Give yourself some grace. It is a long and tedious application process but don’t give up! Lean on your peers and mentors, do not be afraid to ask for guidance. Follow your instincts, you know your strongest abilities and traits better than anyone.”
At Appalachian, Benitez-Flores was involved in the International Appalachian and Chinese Culture Club. She also taught Chinese labs with Dr. Wendy Xie and worked as a research assistant in Dr. Denise Martz’s Women’s Health Lab during her third year. In the spring semester of 2023, she had the opportunity to study abroad at Yonsei University in South Korea.
Connor Montanya ’24 ’25
Montanya, who graduated from Appalachian in May, received a Fulbright ETA and has begun his teaching assignment in Penghu, Taiwan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Chinese and a master's degree in English.
Montanya shared, “I knew that I wanted to apply to Fulbright as it felt like a natural progression for me. When starting my degree, I knew that I wanted to apply to teach abroad. Fulbright is one of the best programs for that. Also, the Taiwan program specifically allows for renewal, and that was something I was looking for.” He said that after Fulbright, he plans to pursue his Ph.D. or Ed.D.
His advice for App State students who are considering applying for a Fulbright: “Just go for it! I was an alternate at first and didn't think I would get to be a part of this journey during the 25-26 cycle. But I found out at the end of June that I was moved to finalist. So apply even if you think you won't get it!” he encourages. “You never know if you don't try, and with the resources that Appalachian State University has for Fulbright, your application can be shaped into a strong submission. So just go for it and see what happens!”
At Appalachian, Montanya was involved in the Chinese Culture Club and International Appalachian. He also worked as a resident assistant, a residence director, a study abroad advisor, and an RC 1000 instructor. Lastly, during his junior year, he studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the University Studies Abroad Consortium.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and other professionals—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential—with the opportunity to forge lasting connections, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals.
The Fulbright Program is funded by an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, and it is managed, coordinated, and overseen by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations in more than 160 countries and the United States also provide direct and indirect support.
A total of 21 students have been awarded Fulbright grants in Appalachian’s history, with 16 within the last seven award cycles. To learn more about the Fulbright Program and other award opportunities, visit the NCS website.
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About Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) works with the Appalachian community to recruit and support students for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, including those that support research, teaching and critical language learning. This is achieved with outreach, mentorship and advising throughout the entire application and selection process. NCS is committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students find ways to connect their Appalachian education to their future endeavors through scholarship opportunities. Learn more at ncs.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu.
Written by Dara Carney-Nedelman
Edited by Lauren Gibbs
September 3, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
Appalachian State University's Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS), a division of University College, is pleased to announce that the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has selected two College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) alumni to receive awards for the 2025–26 cycle.
The Appalachian State University Nationally Competitive Scholarships logo above the Fulbright logo.