KINGSTON, Jamaica—Five outstanding Jamaicans have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships to pursue advanced studies in the United States (US).

This year’s recipients, Daniel Jennings, Elton Johnson, Dr Shennae Miller, Brandon Stewart and Abigail Williams, will pursue studies in fields that align with United States and Jamaica priorities. These include public finance reform, cultural and creative industries, and health policy.

Their work will not only strengthen Jamaica’s institutional capacity and workforce development but also deepen economic and cultural linkages with the United States, reflecting the Fulbright Programmes enduring role in advancing global collaboration through academic excellence.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, Public Affairs Attaché at the US Embassy in Kingston, Mike Lavallee, stated that “the Fulbright scholarship represents our shared belief that education, innovation, and merit are the engines of national progress.”

“Through this exchange, Jamaica benefits from advanced training and new ideas that strengthen key sectors, while the United States gains from the diverse perspectives and expertise Jamaican scholars bring to our campuses and communities. It’s a partnership built on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared vision for sustainable development,” he added.

Jennings has always been fascinated by the natural world. Growing up, he traveled across Jamaica with his family, experiencing the island’s beauty and learning about its delicate ecosystems. Those early experiences shaped his deep respect for the environment and ignited a passion for sustainability that now drives his professional journey.

Through the Fulbright Programme, Jennings will pursue a professional science master’s in environmental analysis at Rice University, in Houston, Texas.

The degree combines environmental sustainability, management, policy, and data-driven decision-making, areas that are crucial for Jamaica’s resilience.

“I want to make sure Jamaica has the best tools to understand and adapt to our changing environment,” he says.

At Rice University, he hopes to sharpen his technical expertise while building international networks.

“Rice has incredible academic rigor and industry connections. I’m excited to learn from experts and bring that knowledge back home,” he said.

He also looks forward to exploring Houston’s vibrant culture.

“It’s a diverse city with a rich science and space legacy. And yes, I’m definitely curious to see how Southern food compares to Jamaican food,” he adds with a laugh.

When he returns to Jamaica, Jennings plans to strengthen the country’s environmental data systems and promote better disaster preparedness.

“My mission is to help Jamaica respond to environmental challenges with innovation and confidence,” he says. “Protecting our island means protecting our people.”

For Jamaican scholar Johnson, music is more than rhythm and melody — it’s a reflection of who we are as a people. As a Fulbright recipient, he will explore dancehall music through the lens of literary and cultural studies, with the goal of redefining how Jamaica’s most influential art form is understood.

“There’s a long-standing idea that dancehall is harmful to society,” Johnson says. “But I believe there are elements within it that promote resilience, creativity, and community. My goal is to bring those positive aspects to the forefront.”

Johnson’s background bridges both academia and advocacy. With over a decade in social activism and six years as an educator in literary studies, he has learned how to use culture as a platform for empowerment.

During his Fulbright experience, Johnson plans to hone his academic writing and contribute to both regional and international publications.

“I want to publish more research that celebrates Jamaica and the Caribbean, while contributing meaningfully to global academic discussions,” he says. He will pursue a PhD in comparative studies at the Florida Atlantic University.

When he returns to Jamaica, Johnson plans to rejoin the academic community and help shape the way future generations engage with Jamaican culture.

For Dr Miller, healthcare is about transformation, not just treatment. As a physician, humanitarian, and entrepreneur, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gaps in Jamaica’s health system.

Through the Fulbright Programme, she will pursue a Doctor of public health degree with a concentration in health policy and management, combining her clinical experience with public health leadership.

“My goal is to build a health system that works for everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable,” Dr Miller said.

Her background spans orthopedic surgery, HIV care, aesthetic medicine, and sports medicine, and she has worked extensively on public health initiatives focused on equity and rehabilitation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization, and the CDC to address critical health system needs.

“Training and working in Jamaica exposed me to the deep inequities that exist in healthcare,” she explains. “Those experiences gave me the drive to advocate for more inclusive systems.”

Her Fulbright studies at Emory and Johns Hopkins universities will provide her with the tools to design data-driven, people-centered health policies.

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with scholars and professionals from around the world who are tackling similar challenges,” she says. “Being part of that global exchange will help me translate policy into real change at home.”

When she returns to Jamaica, Dr Miller plans to work closely with the Ministry of Health and other agencies to design policies that improve access and quality of care for persons with disabilities, chronic conditions, and post-injury needs. She also hopes to mentor the next generation of health professionals.

“Fulbright will allow me to connect global best practices with Jamaica’s realities,” she says. “My vision is a health system that is equitable, resilient, and truly reflective of our people.”

Williams is a proud custodian of Jamaica’s cultural legacy. Her Fulbright journey will take her into a PhD program in history, specialising in Caribbean history and cultures. Her research focuses on the culture and creative industries, one of the most dynamic sectors of Jamaica’s economy and a vital contributor to its global influence.

“Jamaica’s culture is recognised all over the world. Our music, art, and creativity have opened doors on every continent,” she says. “Understanding that history and how we sustain it is key to our continued growth.”

Williams’ passion for culture and heritage is grounded in the Jamaican spirit of resilience and innovation.

“The tallawah energy of our people has shaped who I am. I want my research to amplify Jamaica’s voice and ensure that our contributions are recognised as essential to global culture,” she explains.

Her time in the United States will give her the chance to experience a new cultural landscape while finding common threads between societies.

“The US is incredibly diverse, and I’m excited to explore that,” she says. “As a student of culture, I believe that by learning from others, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.”

After completing her studies, Williams intends to contribute to Jamaica’s cultural and creative industries by strengthening the country’s cultural resource management framework.

For Stewart, public service is not just a career but a calling. As a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright–Humphrey Fellowship, he will focus on public policy and public administration, with a special emphasis on tax policy as a tool for national development.

His goal is to strengthen Jamaica’s public financial management systems and explore how technology can improve efficiency in tax administration.

Stewart believes that Jamaica’s reliance on tax revenue for national development makes an effective and fair tax system essential.

“A strong, equitable compliance framework ensures that the country can finance its social services and achieve long-term sustainability,” he explains. “When businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, are supported through fair policy, everyone benefits.”

His years in public service have shaped both his professional and personal perspective.

From leading national initiatives to reduce tax arrears to volunteering in rural communities to help residents obtain their Taxpayer Registration Numbers, Stewart has seen firsthand how access to fair systems can improve lives.

“My Jamaican experience taught me that tax policy isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people and fairness,” he says.

During his Fulbright year, Stewart looks forward to learning how other nations balance efficiency, compliance, and development.

“I’m eager to see how technology and policy can work together to create more transparent systems,” he noted.

He also plans to immerse himself in the cultural and civic life of the United States, observing how citizens engage with their government and contribute to nation-building.

When he returns home, Stewart intends to use his experiences to modernise Jamaica’s compliance framework and promote tax policies that are fair, efficient, and forward-looking.

“My aim is to help build a Jamaica that is financially self-sufficient and equitable for all,” he says with conviction.

The Fulbright programme is the US Government’s flagship international educational exchange programme designed to increase mutual understanding.