Brittney Johnson, a 2020 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University‘s College of Liberal Arts, is the first university student awarded the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, an international award that will allow her to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education in Cambridge, England. 

A native of Martin, Tennessee, Johnson secured an extremely competitive scholarship, with around 1.3% of applicants in recent years receiving an award, which covers the full cost of attendance, including comes with a $25,000-plus allowance, round-trip airfare, inbound visa costs, and the cost of the immigration health surcharge, as well as discretionary funding such as dependents and fieldwork.

Initially, Johnson earned a dual degree in Spanish and global studies, with a minor in economics, at MTSU. She said she intended to attend law school upon completing her first Fulbright grant and working in immigration law. However, her plans changed during her first year of teaching abroad.

“I discovered my genuine passion for education and its ability to set students up for success. While I derive great satisfaction from working in the classroom, my overarching career objective is to effectuate broader change within education policy,” she said.

Johnson was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and was awarded the Presidential Scholarship at MTSU. As a student she was also awarded two Fulbright Grants as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain and a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship.

“As a cultural ambassador for both the Fulbright and Gilman Scholarships, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds,” explained MTSU Undergraduate Fellowships Specialist Laura Clippard. “She regularly volunteers with me to promote various opportunities to current MTSU students. 

“Together, we co-wrote an article for the Gilman Scholarship Program called ‘Great Partnerships: The Gilman to Fulbright Pipeline,’ aimed at introducing low-income students to Fulbright opportunities. She assisted another MTSU student with her Fulbright application as a part of our Fulbright assigned interview committee.”

Leah Lyons, dean of the MTSU College of Liberal Arts, applauded various academic achievements leading to being awarded the Gates Cambridge.

“Her liberal arts majors in Spanish and global studies allowed her to leverage her deep understanding of global politics, world history, language learning, and intercultural competency to qualify for this distinct honor,” said Lyons. “Her passion for human rights and her incredible work ethic are greatly to her credit, and they are also representative of what MTSU students can accomplish. 

“We are so appreciative of her CLA faculty mentors and Laura Clippard in the Undergraduate Fellowships Office for supporting Brittney and setting her on this trajectory of success.”

What makes Johnson’s academic journey even more compelling is the way she has triumphed over challenges, including being a first-generation, low-income college student. At MTSU, she was a member of the university’s UNICEF chapter.

“This early exposure to the far-reaching consequences of educational inequities left an indelible mark on my worldview and instilled a deep sense of purpose in me. Throughout my childhood, I developed a growing interest in the world beyond my tight-knit community,” she said.

“I tailored my undergraduate studies to create an interdisciplinary education that explored subjects in international politics, language-learning, economics, world history, and human rights. At Cambridge, I plan to explore innovative approaches that can effectively remove obstacles to learning and ensure the inclusion of all children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.”

Added Clippard: “I had the privilege of witnessing her leadership when she volunteered as an Exchange Buddy to new international students at MTSU, aiding them in their transition to a new culture. This past summer, Brittney served as a staff member with low-income and first-generation high school students in a residential program called Upward Bound, encouraging them to seek out college opportunities.” 

Focus on inclusive curricula

At Cambridge, Johnson is interested in researching development and implementation of anti-racist and inclusive curricula, particularly in diverse educational settings while earning her Master of Philosophy.

“I studied abroad in South America as a Gilman Scholar and taught English language classes to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers at a local literacy nonprofit. Through these experiences, I noticed an increasing overlap between what I was learning regarding economic and political theories and their reciprocal impact on education,” stated Johnson. 

“The lack of educational access and resources perpetuated cycles of marginalization and exclusion, creating barriers that hindered the integration and empowerment of vulnerable communities. I look forward to the perspectives and guidance of the department.”

As a Gates Cambridge Scholar, Johnson will become part of a global network of scholars and alumni who use their education and leadership qualities to improve the lives of others. At Cambridge, she will benefit from a lively and engaging Gates Cambridge community, after which she will become part of the Gates Cambridge Alumni Association — a network of over 1,500 Gates Cambridge alumni from more than 100 countries. 

See https://www.gatescambridge.org/ for more details about being a Gates Cambridge Scholar.

“I can confidently say that Brittney is one of the most well-rounded and ambitious students I’ve ever taught. She is a truly compassionate person who demonstrates a sincere appreciation for other cultures and people,” said James Chaney, associate professor in the Department of Global Studies and Human Geography at MTSU. “Brittney exemplifies the kind of student MTSU strives to produce, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her as she embarks on the next chapter of her life at the University of Cambridge.”

For more information on how to apply for this and other opportunities, visit mtsu.edu/honors/ufo, or contact Clippard by email at laura.clippard@mtsu.edu. Students do not have to be Honors students to apply.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)