President Marco J. Clark congratulates Jelani Cotton on being named a Fulbright Scholar.
Holy Cross College student Jelani Cotton has been named a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Program, earning the opportunity to spend a year in Spain as an English Teaching Assistant, where he will teach, serve, and engage in cultural exchange.
Cotton, a South Bend native, is the first student in Holy Cross College history to apply for and be selected for a Fulbright award, marking a significant milestone for the institution.
“Jelani’s achievement is a powerful example of what happens when talent, faith, and opportunity come together,” said Marco J. Clark, president of Holy Cross College. “At Holy Cross, we are committed to forming students who are ready to engage the world with both competence and conviction. His selection as a Fulbright Scholar reflects not only his dedication, but the kind of formation that prepares our students to lead and serve in a global society.”
The Fulbright Program is one of the most competitive and respected international exchange programs in the world, designed to foster mutual understanding between nations through education, cultural exchange, and service.
For Cotton, the opportunity builds on a foundation shaped by both personal experience and a deep commitment to education.
Growing up in a challenging environment, he developed a passion for mentoring and instructing young people, a path that continued through roles as a tutor, volunteer, and leader across campus and in the South Bend community.
“This achievement represents more than just the competitive process of selection,” Cotton said. “It reflects years of dedication, hard work, and the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.”
Cotton’s academic and professional experiences reflect that trajectory. A business major with minors in Spanish and marketing, he has studied abroad in Italy, conducted research with the LEO Poverty Research Lab at the University of Notre Dame, and worked extensively with multilingual learners in local community programs. Cotton also serves as a 21st Century Success Fellow, mentoring high school students across St. Joseph County and helping them prepare for higher education and scholarship opportunities.
His time teaching at La Casa de Amistad in South Bend, where he helped children learn English as a second language, played a defining role in his decision to pursue international education through Fulbright.
Cotton’s path to the Fulbright began when Provost Michael Griffin introduced him to the opportunity. What followed was an intensive process of essays, evaluations, and preparation, and then waiting for the final word, which brought a jubilant phone call from Cotton to Griffin.
“From the moment Jelani began this process, it was clear he had both the ability and the drive to pursue something at this level,” Griffin said. “What stands out is not only his humble confidence in a highly competitive and selective process but his genuine desire to pursue the award for its intended impact: greater understanding and friendship across cultures. This is exactly the kind of commitment to the common good we seek to cultivate at Holy Cross.
“I am also proud to share that I am making history as the first Holy Cross student to apply and become a Fulbright Scholar,” Cotton said. “Above all, I thank God for this opportunity and for continuing to show me that even in moments of struggle, the work is not in vain.”
Fluent in Spanish and shaped by his own experiences navigating new cultures, Cotton is well prepared for the work ahead. His study abroad experience in Italy, along with travel across Europe and North Africa, strengthened his ability to adapt, build relationships, and engage across cultural differences.
At Holy Cross, Cotton has also distinguished himself as a first-generation college student, campus leader, and mentor, serving in organizations such as the First-Generation Student Organization, Black Student Association, and as founder and president of the Holy Cross Drama Club.
His long-term vision reflects the mission at the heart of his Fulbright work. After completing the program, Cotton plans to pursue graduate study and establish a youth community center focused on education, mentorship, and opportunities for underserved populations.
At Holy Cross College, students are formed as scholars, citizens, leaders, and disciples, prepared to engage the world with both competence and courage. Cotton’s work in Spain will extend that mission internationally through education, service, and cultural exchange.
As he prepares for his year abroad, Cotton carries with him not only his own story, but the growing presence of Holy Cross College on the global stage.