Hudson Valley Professor Is The Latest To Earn Fulbright Scholar Award

SUFFERN, NY — A Hudson Valley professor is shining on a global stage.

The SUNY Rockland Community College professor and program director has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for France for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Patricia Szobonya, Esq., of Rockland Community College was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program International Education Administrator award for France from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The college announced the award Monday, June 9, 2026. Szobonya serves as Program Director of Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, and Criminal Justice at SUNY Rockland Community College.

“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,” Rockland Community College President William Mullaney said.. “Her dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding and expanding international perspectives within our academic community embodies the values of SUNY Rockland Community College. 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.”

At the college, Szobonya also serves as the SUNY COIL Campus Coordinator and co-chairs the RCC Global Institute. According to the college, her work has connected students and faculty with institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. She is also faculty advisor to the RCC 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, Szobonya will travel over a two-week period to Amiens, Rouen, and Paris, France, visiting colleges, universities, and educational organizations, according to the announcement. The college said the experience will offer opportunities to explore French approaches to internationalization, student mobility, intercultural education, and global engagement.

"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," Szobonya said. "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."

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 and is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program, according to the announcement. SUNY Rockland said insights from Szobonya's participation are expected to support future international partnerships, exchanges, virtual exchange initiatives, collaborative research projects, and expanded global learning opportunities for students.