Shauna Rickets ’18 has received a Fulbright Award as a English Teaching Assistant in Bulgaria.
GENESEO, N.Y. -- Aspiring film producer Shauna Ricketts ’18 fell in love with the art and educational power of documentaries while studying abroad during the spring 2017 semester in Southeast Asia at Thailand’s Mahidol University. Her coursework encouraged her to analyze contemporary issues in Southeast Asia through an interdisciplinary lens focusing on ethnicity, nationalism and the social constructions surrounding women in Southeast Asia.
“Studying abroad influenced my interpretation of storytelling, which in turn strengthened my appreciation for empathy and ethics,” she said. “While abroad I learned the importance of respecting local cultures and engaging with the local population while traveling, rather than simply being a guest. I continue to adapt my definitions of respect and open-mindedness as I travel in order to expand my social awareness and cultural exposure. As a filmmaker, my goal is to make education approachable, impactful, and visually stimulating.”
Ricketts will have an opportunity to continue her cultural education abroad in September when she begins her year as a 2018-19 U.S. Student Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Bulgaria. A double major in sociology and political science with a minor in urban studies from Cold Spring, N.Y., she was attracted to the ETA program as an “enriching experience, which speaks to my creativity, exuberance and longing to continue my education beyond college.” The Fulbright/America for Bulgaria Foundation Program was established to improve the quality of English language instruction in Bulgarian schools and to expand the educational and cultural exchange between Bulgaria and the United States.
Ricketts was the sixth Geneseo student or alumni to win a Fulbright for 2018-2019, and the 26th award winner in College history. For this year’s cycle, Geneseo had a record 19 applications, with eight of the applicants becoming semi-finalists, also the highest number in the College’s history. Sarah Phillips ’18 will teach in Colombia; Leandra Griffith ’16 won for Belgium; Matt McClure ’16 secured a Fulbright for South Korea; Amanda Langan ’18 will serve in Argentina; and Sarah Simon ’17 was awarded a grant for Uruguay. Semi-finalist Martin Beach ’14 (Malta) was named an alternate.
Earlier in the year and for the first time in the College’s history, SUNY Geneseo was named a Top Producer of U.S. Student Fulbright awards for 2017-18, a recognition the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced in its annual article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Six Geneseo alumni won U.S. Student Fulbright awards for 2017-18, placing the College third among all 742 Carnegie classification master’s degree institutions. Geneseo was the only dedicated SUNY institution to be named a Top Producer of U.S. Student Awards in any category – bachelor’s, master’s, research, or special-focus four-year.
As she grew up in the Hudson Valley, Ricketts became intrigued by the influence that folk culture has on social movements and how local artists such as the American folk singer and social activist Pete Seeger strengthened the environmental movement. Her interest in understanding the connections between communities, folk culture, and the environment made Bulgaria with its rich folk heritage fashioned by multiple ancient civilizations an attractive destination. Following the motto of Bulgaria, Съединението прави силата, which translated means “unity renders power,” Ricketts plans to “use project-based learning to awaken a hunger for exploration in my students, while unifying them with one another, their community and the world.”
“I live for sitting on the edge of my chair with my hand unapologetically raised yearning for more discussion,” Ricketts said of her own educational experience. “I want to create a space for language experimentation, where students feel comfortable to exercise their use of the English language without the fear of failing,” she said.
Ricketts said she would feel fulfilled if she can ignite confidence in one student in Bulgaria.
“I have no doubt that she will thrive as a Fulbright ETA. Shauna is well-rounded, mature, and has a strong work ethic,” said Jen Rogalsky, associate professor and chair of the Department of Geography. “As a former Fulbright Scholar myself, I am confident that her passion for working with people and ability to execute projects will make her successful; she will represent the U.S. very well. In addition to excellence in her majors and minors, she is broadly concerned with others and has clearly demonstrated her interest in innovation, leadership, and community values by engaging in public outreach.”
From 2015-16, Ricketts interned at the Manhattan Museum of Motherhood, working closely with Martha Joy Rose, a sociology professor at Manhattan College, to create a six-part ethnographic series that incorporated digital artwork and drawing to negate stereotypes and disprove assumptions about single, low income, minority mothers. The products of this work are published on the Museum of Motherhood website. To promote and engage in the women’s rights movement in Bulgaria, Ricketts plans to focus on programs that support and empower young women, as well as those that work to reduce youth violence and improve life outcomes for Bulgaria’s low-income and youth populations.
As part of the Fulbright process, seniors and alumni who apply through Geneseo go through an internal application process. A committee composed of faculty and staff review applications and interview applicants, ultimately making a recommendation to the commission about each. This year’s faculty members included Assistant Professor of French Kate Fredericks; Associate Professor of German Cyndy Klima; Professor of Theatre Melanie Blood; Assistant Professor of History Megan Abbas; and Adjunct Lecturer in English and Languages and Literatures Wes Kennison. From Geneseo Study Abroad, Associate Director Sam Cardamone, Assistant Director Emily Froome, and Adviser Emily Cole also participated in the collaborative and supportive interview process.
During the summer of 2017, Ricketts worked as a documentary production intern at Meteor Films in New York City alongside award-winning filmmakers Mark Becker and Aaron Schock to engage in the process of crafting an archival documentary. During her internship she was exposed to pre-animation practices, editing, organizing archival materials, while working with a team of creative individuals. Bulgaria’s thriving film industry was attractive for Ricketts as events such as the annual Sofia International Film Festival exemplify the core role that the country’s arts community plays in celebrating the human experience.
At Geneseo, Ricketts has served as an art gallery coordinator assisting in curating the College’s collection; working on gallery installation, openings, and marketing; and becoming proficient in the Past Perfect curatorial software system. She has worked on campus as an assistant resident director, resident assistant, sociology teaching assistant (TA) for two courses, and a tutor for both the Sociology Department and the Access Opportunity Program (AOP). Shauna was one of the 15 seniors named Presidential Scholars by the College for the 2017-18 academic year and has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Golden Key, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies.
After her Fulbright year, Ricketts plans to pursue a career in film production by applying to the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at the Maine College of Art, as well as The School of the Arts at Columbia University. After establishing herself in the field, she plans to create her own production company that will provide internships and experience to interdisciplinary college students from all over the world.
The U.S. Student Fulbright 2019-20 competition, which is open to students and recent alumni, is administered at Geneseo by the Director of National Fellowships and Scholarships, Michael Mills, who can be reached at millsm@geneseo.edu and 585-245-6002. More information about the Fulbright and other nationally and internationally competitive scholarship and fellowship programs can be found at https://www.geneseo.edu/fellowships_and_scholarships.