Lone Star College professor named Fulbright scholar

HOUSTON, TX -- Dr. John J. Theis, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Lone Star College-Kingwood Center for Civic Engagement, has been named a Fulbright scholar. The Fulbright Scholar Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government designed to increase mutual understanding between the people from other countries.

“Growing up in Korea I was familiar with the Fulbright Scholar Program, but I never thought that community college professors would be considered,” said Theis. “I had always wanted to return to Korea and thought this would be a good opportunity.”

Fulbright scholars are participants in the Fulbright Scholar Program which enables college and university faculty members with a Ph.D. to teach and/or conduct research. The program was founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946.

“We are very proud of this noteworthy accomplishment,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC Chancellor. “The Fulbright Scholar Program is considered the largest and most prestigious educational exchange program providing instructors the opportunity to continue their education and professional development through research and study in a foreign country.”

Fulbright scholars receive round-trip transportation to the host country as well as funding to pay for room, board and incidental costs, based on the cost of living in the host country. Accident and sickness health benefits are also included.

“I will be able to renew my ties to South Korea where I spent the first 18 years of my life,” said Theis. “I look forward to observing the Korean system of higher education first hand while teaching at Dankook and Hanshin Universities. I will also be able to do some comparative research into college student political involvement and civic engagement.”

The process to apply is extensive. Theis spent six weeks completing the application, writing a series of essays and locating a host institution in Korea. In addition to the application, there is a project statement required and essays on cultural competence, teaching philosophy, the country selection, the applicant’s career trajectory and research interests.

“South Korean culture is very popular with our students and younger Americans,” said Theis. “I have at least one student in every class that is learning Korean and watches Korean dramas or listens to K-Pop like the boy band BTS. My hope is that I can develop contacts to create a ‘Study Abroad’ course to South Korea and our students can broaden their knowledge of the world.”

Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.