Creighton senior selected as Fulbright Finalist for Colombia

Creighton senior Jordan Belton, Class of 2026, has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Finalist for the 2026-27 academic year.

Through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Belton will travel to Colombia as an English Teaching Assistant, where she will teach post-secondary students while engaging in cultural exchange and community learning.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. After a highly competitive selection process, Fulbright recipients study, conduct research and teach abroad while building connections across cultures.

Belton, of Wichita, Kansas, is majoring in biology and Spanish and Hispanic studies, with a minor in medical anthropology. At Creighton, she has been involved in the Honors Program, the College of Arts and Sciences Student Senate and Next Generation Leaders, while also serving as a biology teaching assistant and resident advisor.

Her interest in teaching and cultural exchange drew her to the Fulbright Program.

“During my time at Creighton, I realized how much I love teaching and getting to know other students,” she says. “When I heard about Fulbright, I knew I had to apply.”

Belton was drawn to Colombia for both personal and academic reasons. Interested in healthcare, culture and language, she was particularly inspired by the country’s approach to culturally inclusive care and is eager to learn from the communities she will encounter.

“I’m most excited for the people I’ll meet and the memories I’ll make,” she says. “I’ve never had an opportunity like this, and I can’t wait to explore a new country and meet people with different experiences and stories.”

Belton credits Creighton faculty and mentors for helping shape her path, especially Ryan Spangler, PhD, who first introduced her to Fulbright, and Samantha Senda-Cook, PhD, Creighton’s Fulbright Program Advisor, who supported her throughout the application process. She says the encouragement she received from faculty, family and friends made a competitive application process feel possible.

Her experiences at Creighton also helped prepare her for the opportunity, encouraging her to pursue her interests in education, culture and healthcare while defining her own path.

After her Fulbright year, Belton plans to attend medical school and sees the experience as a meaningful extension of those interests, particularly in understanding the role education plays in patient care. During her time in Colombia, she also hopes to lead a project that helps students engage with the history and culture of their communities through intergenerational storytelling.

“Being a Fulbright finalist isn’t just about teaching,” she says. “It’s about sharing your culture and learning about others.”

Interested in applying for a Fulbright award? Contact Creighton’s Fulbright Program Advisor, Samantha Senda-Cook, PhD, for more information.