In the 2024/2025 academic year, the University of Lomza hosts another scholar from the Polish-American Fulbright Commission, who will teach English to students. Jesse Funtleyder comes from the Bronx and grew up in a multi-ethnic family of teachers in Queens, NY. He completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees in forensic psychology at John Jay College (CUNY).
"My choice of Poland was, in many ways, a natural one, due to the strong ethnic ties I have with this country through my grandfather, who has sparked my curiosity about our family history over the years. Besides my personal connection to Poland, I believe that the Fulbright scholarship will help me grow as a young educator and ambassador, ready to operate in an international environment," Jesse Funtleyder said during an intimate welcome meeting in the office of the Rector of the University of Lomza, Professor Dariusz Surowik.
After completing his Fulbright grant, Jesse Funtleyder plans to continue working as a psychology lecturer. "My mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of my community, as well as to support initiatives for social justice. I also want to develop my skills as a psychotherapist. I am particularly interested in developmental psychology, which allows me to explore strategies for supporting youth in their development. The knowledge and experiences gained during the Fulbright scholarship will help me create a modern, scientifically-based educational approach that supports young people," Jesse Funtleyder added.
The Fulbright Program operates in over 160 countries and is the largest and most prestigious initiative for academic and cultural exchange in the U.S., initiated in 1946 by Senator J. William Fulbright. Its aim is to strengthen peace and understanding between nations through academic exchange for students, doctoral candidates, and scholars. The program has been active in Poland since 1959, enabling American students, faculty, and experts to undertake academic stays. The University of Lomza takes advantage of this opportunity for the fourth time, being one of the few institutions that regularly hosts Fulbright scholars. In the 2024/2025 academic year, Poland will welcome 31 American scholars, whose profiles and passions can be explored on the website of the Polish-American Fulbright Commission.
