Program: Sports Medicine '15
Chris Chu de León is a recent Rice University graduate, who earned a prestigious Fulbright scholarship. Selection for the Fulbright U.S. Student awards is based on academic and professional achievements, language preparation and personal qualifications. The awards include round-trip transportation to the host country, funding to cover room, board and incidental costs, and health benefits.
Chris Chu de León graduated in May 2015 with his Bachelor's in Kinesiology, Sports Medicine. He received a 2015-2016 Fulbright grant to teach courses on course focusing on English, U.S. government, electoral politics, and social justice movements at a federal university in Brazil. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, he previously engaged Latin American communities through both research and work. He conducted maternal and child health research in rural Guatemala for 13 weeks through the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Additionally, he worked for two separate international NGOs for 6 months, focusing on implementing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs in over 100 schools in Guatemala and community building in a newly constructed health community center in Nicaragua. Chu de León also presented his research on type 2 diabetes at the Public Diplomacy and Global Policymaking Colloquium in Qatar.
During his time at Rice University, he was a cheerleader, Homecoming King, Mr. Rice Runner-Up, and served in several leadership roles in his residential college, Hanszen, and in student clubs — even founding the Rice Club Gymnastics Team. He co-led an Alternative Spring Break volunteer trip to dispel the misconceptions of pediatric cancer, actively volunteered for organizations supporting the homeless and low-income Hispanic residents of the Houston community, and participated in a 27-day Homeless Challenge for the National Coalition for the Homeless. His commitment to community service was recognized with the Spirit of Service Award and Judge Woodrow Seals Community Service Award. Chu de León plans to pursue a career in public service, as well as serve as a military officer, to ensure that underrepresented and disenfranchised communities have a voice in the political and policymaking process.
Keep up the excellent work, Chris!