Class of 2025 Alumna Earns Fulbright Award for Graduate Study in Wales
While at Rutgers University–Camden, Sophia Westfall CCAS’25 developed a unique research focus that combines creative writing and environmental humanities. The strength of her academic record has helped her to earn a Fulbright scholarship to pursue graduate study and research at Cardiff University in Wales in the next academic year.
Westfall, who earned bachelor’s degrees in English and digital studies this spring, will continue her education in a yearlong English literature and creative writing master’s program through the Fulbright award, one of the most prestigious and selective scholarships in the world.
“I knew I wanted to start my master's in the fall, and the Fulbright program has such a huge U.K. presence. A lot of the historical research I want to do—and the topics I am interested in—I can pursue there. So, it’s really a fantastic opportunity,” Westfall said.
“At Rutgers–Camden, we take immense pride in the global reach and academic excellence of our students,” said Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis. “Sophia Westfall’s selection as a Fulbright recipient is a testament to her intellectual curiosity, creative strength, and commitment to meaningful scholarship. We are proud to see her represent our community on the international stage as she continues her academic pursuits.”
While at Rutgers–Camden, Westfall held multiple student leadership roles. She served as president of Spoon University, a food-inspired news source. She also founded several organizations, including the online literary magazine The Secret Society of Poetry and the Scarlet Scribes, an interdisciplinary club blending literature with arts and environmentalism.
“As I worked more closely with Sophia, learning about her research and other scholarly interests, it was apparent that Cardiff University was an exceptional fit for her goals,” said Laura Collins, director of the Rutgers–Camden Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising (OSDFA). “Fulbright and Cardiff University also saw the tremendous value Sophia will both gain and contribute in her program and host community in Wales, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for Sophia to be named our first U.K. recipient.”
Westfall cultivated a research focus on biodegradable literature through an Honors College project with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH). “The idea is to take organic matter and turn it into books as a way to redefine what the book actually is and seeing how materials have an influence on the authorship of the content,” she explained. Westfall brought papermaking and book-binding techniques to workshops on campus and to K-12 programs in Camden. She also helped develop a makerspace at MARCH called Proof, a hub for hands-on scholarly experimentation.
As a graduate student in Wales, Westfall will continue her work in environmental humanities through field research that will likely inspire her creative writing.
Beyond her academic year, Westfall already has a full cultural itinerary planned for her time abroad. A not-to-miss event includes the Jane Austen Festival this fall in Bath, England, along with trips to Roman ruins that dot the Welsh landscape. “I plan to visit a lot of historical sites and join a lot of writing groups, poetry groups, and historical societies,” she said.
Looking ahead, Westfall is already applying for doctoral programs where she can study English and specialize in book history and environmental humanities. She aspires to teach in higher education one day and looks fondly on the undergraduate setting at Rutgers–Camden that launched her journey.
“The number one thing I will miss is just the relationships that I formed with both the faculty and my friends,” Westfall said. “My friends all ended up being my coworkers. Throughout campus, we all worked together, whether we were tutoring at the Writing Center or in digital studies. I made incredible connections, and I don't foresee myself ever letting go of those.”
The Fulbright U.S. Student application is currently open for 2026-2027, with a national deadline of October 7, 2025. Interested candidates, including current seniors, graduate students, and alumni, are encouraged to visit the Fulbright website and connect with OSDFA to begin their application. The campus deadline is August 30. Questions may be directed to Laura Collins (laura.collins@rutgers.edu).
