BOONE, N.C. — Richard Elaver, a Professor of Industrial Design at Appalachian State University, has been honored with a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the Spring 2026 academic semester. The recognition was granted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Professor Elaver will travel to Belgium to affiliate with Howest University for Applied Sciences in Kortrijk. During his tenure, he plans to work with local colleagues to delve into the exploration of Generative A.I., specifically studying its application in creating three-dimensional models of product concepts.
Building International Partnerships
This Fulbright Fellowship is poised to continue building connections between Appalachian State University and Howest University. The two institutions already share a formal student exchange agreement that has facilitated the study abroad experience for over 50 students in the last decade.
Appalachian State University has consistently demonstrated strength in fostering international exchange, having been recognized as a Top Producer of accepted applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student and/or Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs for four of the last six years. For the 2025-26 academic year alone, three AppState students and four faculty have been awarded Fulbright fellowships. Professor Elaver also contributes to the institution's success in this area, serving as an Advisory Board member for the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) program.
The Role of Fulbright U.S. Scholars
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program selects faculty, researchers, administrators, and established professionals who conduct research or teach in affiliation with institutions abroad. Scholars like Professor Elaver engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, frequently laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions and continuing collaborations started internationally. Upon their return, these scholars are expected to share their experiences and often become active supporters of international exchange by encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad and inviting foreign scholars to their home campuses.
Over 800 individuals teach or conduct research abroad annually through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.
About the Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Since its establishment in 1946, the program has provided opportunities for over 400,000 talented and accomplished professionals to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbrighters are chosen based on their academic merit and leadership potential.
Fulbright recipients exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. The program is funded by an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, and it operates in over 160 countries worldwide. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs manages, coordinates, and oversees the program.
Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and thousands of leaders across various sectors.
In the United States, the Institute of International Education (IIE) implements the Fulbright U.S. Student and U.S. Scholar Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,795 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. https://appstate.edu
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