Converse Graduate Chloe Cleland ’25 wins Fulbright Research Scholarship

May 2025 graduate Chloe Cleland recently made history at Converse when she became the first recipient of the University’s Fulbright Research/Study Scholarship in more than 50 years.

Having completed more than 175 undergraduate hours at Converse, Cleland is a Nisbet Honors graduate who triple majored in History, Psychology, and Philosophy and minored in Women’s Studies, all while competing as a Division II Acrobatics and Tumbling athlete, conducting research projects, joining honors societies, and playing an active role in campus organizations.

An Ohio native, Cleland said she realized her next life chapter – out of the blue – while sitting in a professor’s office last spring. “It was an advising meeting with Dr. [Edward] Woodfin, and we started discussing my plans after graduation, and he suggested the Fulbright Scholarship,” said Cleland. “I knew about the program, but I had never considered myself at the level to actually be competitive for it. After that meeting, I felt more confident that I could work toward this goal and achieve it.”

The Fulbright is not just any scholarship, but an opportunity, according to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website, “to expand students’ worldview, establish a global network of like-minded scholars, and bring the world back into their classroom.” The application process ensures that only the most highly qualified candidates who have been vetted by their institutions are considered for this honor.

Cleland’s Fulbright award will allow her to pursue a master’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Sussex starting in September. While there, she will join Dr. Julia Simner and her MULTISENSE Lab, which conducts research on synesthesia, a neurological condition where stimulation of one sense (like hearing) triggers involuntary, automatic experiences in another sense (like seeing), or even a different cognitive domain.

For Cleland, the people at Converse made it feel like home, and she hopes to see more future Fulbright Scholars from the university. “I am incredibly grateful that I chose Converse for my education,” she reflected. “The professors, athletics, and student life have pushed me to be the best student I could be. The Fulbright Scholarship will be transformational for my career.”

After completing her master’s degree, Cleland aims to earn a PhD in experimental psychology, and then transition to working in academia, teaching, and conducting research. “Ultimately,” she explained, “I’d like to establish my own lab that studies synesthesia and be able to work in cooperation with other researchers to continue expanding the field of knowledge about the phenomenon.”

About Converse University

Converse University empowers students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. Converse was founded in 1889 by citizens of Spartanburg, SC, who aimed to create an educational experience for women, and in fall 2020 it welcomed its first undergraduate co-educational incoming class. The University encompasses the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Business & Data Science, the School of the Arts, The School of Education, The Graduate School, and the Converse College for Women. Converse students experience deep scholarship, transformative mentorship, experiential learning, and wonderful support for and belief in each other. Through this unique formula, Converse is a creator of opportunity for its students through a personalized education that also includes the professional and technical skills graduates need to be successful in their careers. For more information, visit www.converse.edu.