When Abby Henry steps into her classroom in Taiwan next fall, she’ll continue a proud Millsaps tradition. She recently won a prestigious Fulbright award to teach English abroad, becoming the thirtieth Millsaps student to earn that honor. Her achievement reflects Millsaps’ mission to cultivate globally engaged, intellectually curious graduates.
The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, provides unparalleled opportunities for recent college graduates, graduate students and early career professionals to pursue graduate study, conduct research or teach English in schools across the globe. Each year, more than 2,000 U.S. students are selected based on academic merit and leadership potential.
Henry, a recent graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in government and politics, was inspired to return to Taiwan after studying abroad there in the summer of 2023. “I loved everything about it—the language, the culture, the food, the rich political history, the people,” she said. “When I found out there was an opportunity to be there again through Fulbright, I jumped at it.”
“Abby’s achievement is a shining example of how Millsaps prepares students to thrive on the global stage,” said Millsaps President Frank Neville. “We’re incredibly proud of Abby and are so pleased that her hard work and dedication are being recognized with this impressive honor and exciting opportunity.”
Her Fulbright placement in New Taipei City, right outside the nation’s capital, will begin in August. “I feel very privileged to be placed there and I’m especially looking forward to teaching in my designated school, visiting the National Palace Museum and experiencing the famous night markets,” she said.
Henry credits Millsaps with providing the foundation for her success, both in securing the Fulbright and in preparing her to thrive in a global classroom. “Millsaps prepared me in a lot of different ways, but the most relevant was being an embedded writing fellow for Connections classes and a supplemental Spanish instructor through CASE,” she said. “Those experiences taught me how to lead classrooms, develop lesson plans and work one-on-one with students.”
She also emphasized the college’s emphasis on multiculturalism and diverse perspectives. “Through courses in pedagogical psychology, Spanish and government and politics, I learned how to welcome different ideas and navigate cultural differences, skills that are crucial when teaching abroad.”
Henry’s placement in the capital, and largest city in Taiwan, provides her with the rare privilege of serving in such a large metropolitan area, as most sites Fulbright recipients are sent to are more rural.
While in Taiwan, Henry hopes to improve her Mandarin Chinese and gain more experience as a language teacher. “One of my life goals is to become a polyglot. I love teaching, and I’m excited to grow in that area,” she said.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Henry currently lives in Roland, just outside the city. During her time at Millsaps, she served as a Pathways Peer and Mission Acceleration reading tutor. She is a member of Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society and Sigma Lambda, Millsaps’ academic and leadership honorary.
After completing her Fulbright, Henry plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at Washington University in St. Louis to become a licensed clinical social worker.
Abby Henry’s achievement reflects the strong foundation provided by Millsaps, where hands-on learning and personal mentorship prepare students to make a difference in the world. Whether through study abroad, research, internships or community engagement, Millsaps students are equipped with the tools and experience to excel in any path they choose.