October 23–25, 2026 | Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, Washington, D.C.
Fulbright Greater Los Angeles was proudly represented by Board members Lin Shi and Valerie Márquez Edwards at the 49th Annual Fulbright Association National Conference (FACON26), held October 23–25 at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C.
This year’s conference, themed Our Legacy, Our Future, held special significance as the Fulbright community celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. The three-day gathering brought together Fulbright alumni, scholars, chapter leaders, educators, and international exchange advocates from across the country and around the world to reflect on eight decades of cultural diplomacy, educational exchange, and global collaboration while exploring the future of the Fulbright mission.
The conference featured a rich program of keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities addressing some of today’s most pressing global challenges. Topics included international education, artificial intelligence, national security, public health, scientific innovation, and the role of Fulbright alumni in strengthening communities worldwide.
Among the featured speakers were CNN Chief National Security Analyst and Fulbright alumnus Jim Sciutto, who reflected on the lasting influence of his Fulbright experience, and Julia Foote LeStage, granddaughter of Senator J. William Fulbright, who shared personal reflections on her grandfather’s legacy. The conference also celebrated outstanding achievements in education, public service, and chapter leadership.
A highlight of the gathering was the opportunity for chapter representatives to connect with Fulbright leaders and colleagues from across the national network, exchange ideas about successful programs, and explore new approaches to alumni engagement, advocacy, and community service. The conference reinforced the important role local chapters play in carrying forward the Fulbright mission through meaningful programming and sustained community involvement.
Lin Shi also contributed to the conference program through the Career Center, presenting on connecting skills and purpose in a changing world of work, bringing professional expertise and the Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s perspective to the national gathering.
As the Fulbright Program enters its ninth decade, FACON26 served as a reminder that its greatest strength lies in the people and relationships that continue to advance mutual understanding across borders.
Fulbright Greater Los Angeles extends its appreciation to Lin Shi and Valerie Márquez Edwards for representing our chapter at this important national gathering and for their continued dedication to strengthening the Fulbright community.
We look forward to building on the connections and ideas shared at FACON26 as we continue expanding opportunities for cultural exchange, professional engagement, and community service throughout Greater Los Angeles.
