Education
University of West Florida Director of International Affairs Randolph Scott has been selected for the Fulbright U.S.-France International Education Administrators Award for 2026-2027, one of the most competitive professional development honors available to senior U.S. higher education administrators.
The fully funded program sends select American higher education professionals to France for a two-week immersive seminar. Scott will travel Oct. 3-15, meeting with higher education leaders, government officials and policy experts while visiting universities, research facilities and educational institutions across the country.
Deep Roots in International Education
Scott has spent more than 20 years working in international education at UWF. His background includes living and working abroad in both Japan and France, where he participated in the Teaching Assistant Program in France early in his career.
“Teaching English and working alongside French educators were transformative experiences that shaped my worldview and ultimately set me on a path in international education. Through this seminar, I hope to translate personal history and professional expertise into durable institutional collaboration, advancing shared academic goals between our two countries.”
— Randolph Scott
Scott’s professional service extends well beyond campus. He has served on the boards of the Florida Association of International Educators, Study Florida and Gulf Coast Diplomacy, and has been active in the NAFSA Trainer Corps, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Leadership Pensacola.
Strengthening UWF’s French Partnerships
UWF already maintains partnerships with several French institutions:
- EM Strasbourg Business School
- ESSCA School of Management
- Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Échanges Franco-Américains
Scott said participation in the seminar will directly support UWF’s international education goals by helping establish new exchange opportunities and research collaborations. He hopes to expand opportunities for UWF students and faculty by building new partnerships in research, faculty exchange and study abroad programming.
National Fellowships Office Connection
Scott’s selection was supported through UWF’s John W. Merting Family Office of National Fellowships, which assists faculty, staff and students pursuing nationally competitive scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Claire Holderman, coordinator of the fellowships office, said the award reflects the broader value of international engagement for higher education professionals.
“Randolph’s selection for this award is significant because these prestigious fellowships offer higher education administrators unique professional development opportunities to foster long-term connections that enrich their campuses, careers and communities.”
— Claire Holderman
Applications opened in February and are due Sept. 15, 2026. Faculty and staff can contact Claire Holderman at the John W. Merting Family Office of National Fellowships or visit uwf.edu/onf for more information.
