Fulbright Scholar's Upcoming Adventure to Belfast

Dr. Alana Dagenhart, an esteemed English faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) anxiously awaits her departure to Belfast, Northern Ireland as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar.

“I am most excited about visiting the Seamus Heaney Centre, the epicenter of poetry in Northern Ireland, and maybe even all of Ireland. I grew up writing poetry and later studying it, and in a few weeks, I will be in a land that honors poetry and celebrates poets. Plus, I will be teaching poetry! As a poet and teacher, I don't think I could ask for more. I am utterly thrilled and humbled by this opportunity,” said Dagenhart.

Reflecting on her Fulbright journey, Dagenhart shares, "Receiving this prestigious award has been a lifelong academic aspiration and a five-year application journey. Each year, I progressed a little more through the process. I am so glad I did not give up!"

Richard Mathieu, Ph.D. president, Charlotte Campus, Johnson & Wales University expressed great pride in Dagenhart’s accomplishments, stating, "Alana’s selection for a Fulbright Award is an outstanding testament to her excellence in the field of poetic literature. We are privileged to have her representing Johnson & Wales on the world stage as her experiences will not only enhance her own scholarly pursuits but also enrich the educational experiences of our students. Dagenhart’s Fulbright journey underscores Johnson & Wale’s dedication to fostering a vibrant intellectual community and global perspective in higher education.”

As a Fulbright Scholar, Dagenhart’s upcoming project at Queen's University Belfast will delve into the intersections of Northern Irish poetry, North Carolina literature, and cultural connections. Her hybrid project blending poetry, place studies, science and pedagogy promises to forge new perspectives and insights in literary scholarship.

"Creating poetry and studying ecopoetics and Irish literature will connect people and texts, bringing new insights that transform our reading of historical works,” shares Dagenhart. “Linking Appalachian poetry to Northern Ireland could reshape our view of Appalachian literature, and collaborations will foster future research."

Dagenhart’s dedication to global engagement and cultural understanding resonates with the vision of the United Kingdom Fulbright Commission, striving for a world without obstacles to learning, understanding, and collaboration. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars and educators, emphasizing the value of perseverance and intellectual curiosity. And her advice to embrace rejections as opportunities for growth echoes the spirit of continuous learning and resilience.

“Take rejections like a compliment. All a rejection means is that you're not ready—yet. If you are honest with yourself, you'll find that rejections always serve you some valuable information that you can use to persevere. Take that information and turn it into success.”

For additional promotion of the U.S. Fulbright Scholars please visit US-UK Fulbright Commission Website.

About JWU

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. JWU’s unique model provides students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative; we are proud of our career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit jwu.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Smith, Director of Communications & Media Relations, (C) 704-340-3273 or Jill.Smith@jwu.edu.