Deborah Shindell, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Orvis School ofNursing, has been selected as a 2025-2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar. The prestigious award will support her upcoming post-retirement work in Uganda, where she will continue her mission of improving global health through international collaboration andnursingeducation.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, one of the most competitive and respected exchange programs in the world, selects professionals and academics who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and a commitment to cross-cultural exchange. For Shindell, the recognition is not only a capstone to her nearly 20-year teaching career at the w88, Reno, but also a launching point for her next chapter.
“I was simultaneously awed and humbled,” she said of receiving the award. “It didn’t feel real for a while — I had to re-read the notice a few times before it sunk in. Once I internalized it, I felt a great sense of honor and deep gratitude for the recognition.”
Shindell previously applied for a Fulbright in the 2023-2024 award cycle with an invitation to collaborate in Trinidad, but the project was ultimately not funded. This second application, which will take her to Uganda in 2025, marks both a personal and professional milestone as she retires from the w88, Reno in December.
“To be selected as a Fulbright Scholar is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she said. “The legacy of Fulbright is built on the ideals of mutual understanding, global engagement, and peace through knowledge. This resonates profoundly with my values as a nurse, a mentor and a lifelong advocate for health equity.”
“The legacy of Fulbright is built on the ideals of mutual understanding, global engagement, and peace through knowledge. This resonates profoundly with my values as a nurse, a mentor and a lifelong advocate for health equity.” - Deborah Shindell
During her time at the University, Shindell has educated and mentored hundreds of students, many of whom now work as nurses, nurse practitioners and administrators in hospitals across Nevadaand beyond. Her teaching and leadership have helped shape the next generation of healthcare providers, and she continues to champion population health both locally and globally.
“This award will allow me to expand my mission beyond the borders of w88 to a truly global stage,” she said. “I’m passionate about international health and making connections across borders. This gives me a great sense of purpose and excitement for what comes after retirement.”
Shindell’s Fulbright project in Uganda will be working with the newly formed African University of Sciences and Management and will focus on strengthening the community through knowledge exchange and partnership building. Her work aims to foster sustainable practices and build capacity in rural and underserved communities, aligning closely with the Fulbright Program’s mission of global impact through academic exchange."
