KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 17, 2025

Continuing a rich tradition of international scholarship, recent Kennesaw State University graduates Bon Varlet and AKeera Ford have earned awards from the prestigious Fulbright Program to extend their studies abroad. 

Varlet and Ford join a robust list of Kennesaw State undergraduates and alumni who have earned Fulbright scholarships, the primary international educational and cultural exchange initiative of the U.S. government.

“We are delighted to celebrate the selection of Bon and AKeera to the Fulbright Program,” said Karen Kornweibel, dean of the KSU Journey Honors College. “The Fulbright Program, established by Congress in 1946, remains the premier international education exchange program operating in over 160 countries worldwide and admits only the top 20% of applicants. Being selected for the Fulbright Study/Research Program reflects a deep commitment to lifelong learning, academic excellence, and creative discovery — values we proudly cultivate in the KSU Journey Honors College.”

Varlet, an Honors student who graduated in May, received the Fulbright Study Award to pursue information security research at KU Leuven in Belgium. Inspired by a 2023 cyberattack at The British Library, she plans to explore cybersecurity vulnerabilities in public institutions, particularly libraries, archives, and research centers.

“Becoming a Fulbright Scholar feels like a culminating moment at this stage in my academic career,” said Varlet, who lives in Douglas County. “I had to reload the page because I felt like it wasn’t real. I have never applied to a program like Fulbright before, so having the guidance of Dr. Michelle Miles and the Honors College meant a lot to me.”

While studying in KSU’s College of Computing and Software Engineering, Varlet had to put her academic journey briefly on hold while she addressed health concerns. She later returned to earn a scholarship from VICEROY, a highly competitive program designed to prepare students to undertake cybersecurity operations for the Department of Defense.

“Bon’s story is one of creativity, initiative and resilience,” CCSE Dean Sumanth Yenduri said. “After taking a break and returning to KSU, she called on her deep desire to learn to grow as a communicator, entrepreneur, public servant, and thought leader in information technology. Bon’s future Fulbright work to protect public institutions from cyber threats is the perfect blend of technical know-how and public good. When we reflect on how computing can make the world better, Bon’s story is an inspiration.”

Ford, who graduated in 2024, also has received a Fulbright Study Award to pursue a Master of Science in Crime, Justice, and Psychology at the University of Leicester in the U.K. She plans examine how the U.K.'s victim-centered frameworks promote long-term recovery, offering insights that could help reimagine the U.S. justice system.

“It feels so validating and encouraging to receive this kind of recognition,” said Ford, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. “When I opened my award letter I laughed, thanked God, and then cried. The Fulbright process is very competitive, so I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity.”

Ford credits KSU’s Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships for helping guide her through the application process, giving her the confidence to prepare and submit her application material. Upon completion of her graduate degree, she intends to work in the federal government.

“As a Fulbright Scholar, Ms. Ford’s work studying the UK's approach to crime and justice, has the potential to influence how the United States addresses a punitive versus a rehabilitative approach to our national justice system, and perhaps even reducing recidivism,” said Katie Kaukinen, dean of the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “We are incredibly proud that Radow College can claim Ms. Ford as our own Fulbright Scholar.”

Since 2011, 10 Kennesaw State students and alumni have been named Fulbrighters through the support of the Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships. Additionally, 21 KSU and Southern Polytechnic State University faculty members have received Fulbright awards since 1988.

“It is always a decided pleasure to celebrate the success of members of our Kennesaw State University student and alumni community when they are the recipients of prestigious external awards, such as Fulbright grants,” said Miles, director of the Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships. “To have two individuals be named Fulbright Study/Research finalists in the same year is uniquely exciting, as these types of grants are quite limited in number. It is a testament to the caliber of Bon's and AKeera's respective intellectual acumen and project scopes that they were selected.”

Students interested in applying for funding opportunities for study abroad, experiential learning, and research are encouraged to contact the Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships to learn more.

– Story by Travis Highfield

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.