Rhonda Schaller, Pratt’s assistant vice president for resilience, wellness, and well-being and a visiting associate professor, is the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Specialist Program award. The U.S. Department of State program provides year-round opportunities for U.S. academics and professionals to serve as expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning, and related subjects at academic institutions abroad for a period of two to six weeks.
Beginning in early March, Schaller will spend six weeks at MTU Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork, Ireland, for a “Self-Care as Creative Practice” project that will bring contemplative and well-being pedagogy into Crawford faculty teaching and learning.
Schaller is an artist and educator who has taught visualization, mindfulness, and meditation as life and art practices for more than 30 years. She has served in a number of roles since joining Pratt in 2012. Her work has included establishing the Institute’s Council for Resilience, Wellness, and Well-being, and overseeing the Center for Career and Professional Development, the Counseling Center, Health Education and Promotion, and the Learning/Access and Advocacy Center.
Schaller is also the founder of the Meditation Incubator project and founding chair of the Mindfulness in Student Affairs Committee, and Mindful Pratt community. She received a Made in NYC fellowship for her Mindful Making intensive and a Pratt Seed grant for her Mindfulness Resource Lab Project. Her Mindfulness Collaboratory project, funded with a multi-year grant from The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, will be part of this year’s Research Open House. Rhonda currently teaches Breath Is The Mark: Art Practice and Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Based Practices for undergraduate and graduate students.
The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Schaller joins the more than 400 U.S. citizens who share their expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program each year. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
Pratt’s Center for Career and Professional Development advises on Fulbright applications for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, with the Institute becoming a top Fulbright producer as it supports students and alumni in the cultural exchange program.