A Pennsylvania Western University professor will be researching artificial intelligence and higher education during a trip to the Amazon this summer.
Mark Lennon, a business professor at PennWest California, was selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Brazil.
In June, he will travel to the University of the Amazon in Belém, Brazil, to research how artificial intelligence can help students and faculty at regional universities compete globally.
“Brazil currently offers fully funded graduate scholarships for English-language programs — seats Pennsylvania students could fill,” Lennon said. “Connecting those opportunities to Western Pa. colleges means more graduate degrees, better jobs and stronger communities.”
Lennon’s research made the cut during a time of increased federal scrutiny to higher education programs. Fulbright funds are appropriated annually by Congress and, often, by contributions from partner countries and private parties.
Last year, all but one of Fulbright’s 12-member board resigned, citing political interference by the Trump administration. Many awards were denied or put under review.
Lennon said his research advances the United States’ economic interests and helps position the Pittsburgh region’s academic community as a global leader. He will post updates on a website he created, FulbrightAI.com.
The Fulbright Program, Lennon said, is exactly the kind of taxpayer investment that pays dividends at home.
“This isn’t just research,” he said. “It’s economic development.”
The experience also could boost PennWest’s profile, Lennon said, and encourage faculty to apply for its programming and support student enrollment and retention efforts.
PennWest, like many other colleges in the U.S., is struggling with enrollment and retention given a shrinking pool of traditional college-bound students and an overbuilt higher education landscape. The university has seen enrollment declines, financial constraints and proposed elimination of more than 100 academic programs.
Lennon said the national Fulbright recognition could turn the needle at PennWest.
“That is positively correlated with increased enrollment and retention,” he said.
The PennWest administration has not publicly acknowledged the achievement, Lennon said, which is concerning to him because the recognition could inspire other faculty to get involved and apply for future Fulbright awards, and encourage students to attend PennWest.
In 2022, Lennon was awarded a Fulbright Specialist Award for a three-week financial technology course in India. The university made announcements for that recognition, and Lennon shared the information with colleagues to encourage them to apply for the Fulbright Specialist program, he said.
“At this time of year, PennWest University’s communications efforts are heavily focused on sharing stories connected to commencement and celebrating the achievements of our students ahead of ceremonies on May 9,” said Wendy Mackall, PennWest spokeswoman. “We are aware of this achievement and will recognize it as we do the achievements of other faculty members. Our faculty are the backbone of our institution, and we are proud of the work they do every day to (help) students advance their fields and contribute to the broader community.”