April 29, 2026
Eidson is one of just over 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program this year.
Dr. Jacquelyn Eidson, Director of the National Higher Education Benchmarking Institute at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Eidson’s Project
From April 7 through 28, Eidson completed a Fulbright Specialist project at the host institution Universitat Regensburg in Germany.
The project aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within business administration. Specifically, Eidson discussed global workforce needs in the automotive industry alongside faculty and scholars from the host institution Universitat Regensburg and Kanazawa University in Japan. Now that Eidson’s project is completed, she and the other Fulbright Specialists on this project will compile their research into a publication.
“In recent years, Fulbright has taken strategic measures to increase participation among community college professionals, and I hope my own experience encourages other community college faculty and staff to explore this opportunity,” said Eidson. “Fulbright Scholar awards welcome community college applicants, showing that there is growing recognition worldwide of the innovation, value, and impact of the community college model.”
Eidson also received a Fulbright Specialist Award in 2024, when she spent six weeks in France at the University Clermont Auvergne, specifically the Clermont Business School. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected based on academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation, collaboration, and communication between educational institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
More About the U.S. Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
The program celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has allowed more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists to study, teach, and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State can be found at eca.state.gov/fulbright.
About JCCC
JCCC has embraced a mission to inspire learning to transform lives and strengthen communities since the College opened its doors in 1969. As the largest community college in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area, JCCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Committed to accessible, high-quality education, the College serves students from its main campus and multiple satellite locations. Each year, JCCC supports the educational and career goals of 36,000 credit and continuing education students, meeting individual, community, and workforce needs in a welcoming, supportive environment.
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