Creighton student, alumna receive Fulbright honors

Creighton senior Angelina Manasan, left, and recent graduate Kristina Davis, BS'21, both received Fulbright grants to teach English abroad. 

Two Creighton University students have received grants from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program to teach English and experience the world abroad.  

• Kristina Davis, BS’21, will serve as an English teaching assistant in Greece. 
• Angelina Manasan, a double major in Spanish and Hispanic studies and theology, will serve as an English teaching assistant in the community of Galicia in Spain.  

"Winning a Fulbright award is an honor, but also a recognition of how awesome these two are,” says Samantha Senda-Cook, PhD, Creighton’s Fulbright program advisor and professor and associate chair of Communication Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. “All Fulbright applicants are excellent; to win an award, a person must also be unique and articulate. I am so happy for these two.” 

As the U.S.’s flagship international academic program, Fulbright offers graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals the chance to study, research or teach English in more than 140 countries worldwide.  

Since 2005, 21 Creighton students have received Fulbright honors. Awardees are chosen based on the feasibility of their grant proposals, academic and professional record, personal qualifications, language proficiency and other criteria.  

Kristina Davis

“My goal is to spend the year completely devoted to the learning of others,” says Davis, who will teach English at the high school level during her year with Fulbright. “I am also excited to be immersed in Greek life and take the time to learn about my students’ passions and culture.” 

Davis, a December 2021 graduate who majored in psychology and medical anthropology, was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority at Creighton and worked in peer mentoring and tutoring with Student Support Services. She served as a member of the staff at the Educational Opportunity Center and has performed research in medical anthropology and psychology.  

Angelina Manasan

As a double major in Spanish and theology, Manasan is also pursuing a triple minor in women’s and gender studies, justice and peace studies and sociology. She will graduate Saturday, May 14.  

At Creighton, Manasan is a member of the Latino Student Association and president of the TRiO Student Support Services’ Peer2Peer Program. She is also secretary and treasurer of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and currently works in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ costume shop.  

Manasan is also the lead research assistant for Zachary Smith, PhD, associate professor of theology. Working with Smith, Manasan is researching proto-racism and ethnic othering in early Christianity.   

“I am very eager to hone my language and teaching skills while immersing myself in the Spanish culture that is foundational to my own ethnicities, and I am excited for the possibility of engaging in cultural exchange and learning from others,” she says.