Suffern, NY (June 9, 2026) – Patricia Szobonya, Esq., a Program Director and Professor of Legal Studies at SUNY ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ, has received a International Education Administrator award for France for the 2026/2027 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
“Patricia’s selection for this prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar award is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of her deep commitment to education, global engagement, and student success,†said Dr. William Mullaney, President of SUNY ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ. “Her dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding and expanding international perspectives within our academic community embodies the values of SUNY ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ. We are incredibly proud of Patricia and look forward to the knowledge, insight, and global connections she will bring back to our campus through this remarkable opportunity.â€
A licensed attorney in New York and New Jersey, Professor Szobonya serves as Program Director of Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, and Criminal Justice at SUNY ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ. She also serves as the SUNY COIL Campus Coordinator and co-chairs the ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ Global Institute, where she has helped advance internationalization initiatives and collaborative online international learning opportunities. Her work has connected students and faculty with institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, fostering global engagement and intercultural learning. She also serves as Faculty Advisor to the ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ Model United Nations Club, which recently participated in the 2026 National Model United Nations Conference in New York City.
As part of the Fulbright International Education Administrator program, Professor Szobonya will travel to Amiens, Rouen, and Paris, France, over a two-week period, visiting colleges, universities, and educational organizations. The experience will provide opportunities to explore French approaches to internationalization, student mobility, intercultural education, and global engagement while building relationships with higher education leaders and institutions. Insights gained through the program will support the development of future international partnerships, faculty and student exchanges, virtual exchange initiatives, collaborative research projects, and expanded global learning opportunities for SUNY Rockland students.
“Through the Fulbright IEA Program, I hope to deepen my understanding of France’s higher education system and its approach to international education and global engagement. I also hope to strengthen my ability to prepare administrators, faculty, students, and the broader community to engage thoughtfully in intercultural dialogue and foster meaningful international collaborations within an increasingly interconnected and complex global society,†said Patricia Szobonya, Esq., Program Director and Professor of Legal Studies at SUNY ؛¬ذك²فتسئµ.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. Fulbright participants engage in teaching, research, study, and professional exchange programs around the world, building international partnerships and advancing global collaboration.
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided transformative international opportunities to thousands of scholars, educators, students, and professionals. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with support from participating governments and institutions worldwide.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit .