DENTON, Texas (UNT) – Dr. Gabriel Carranza, assistant vice provost for global engagement and adjunct research professor in the University of North Texas’ Department of Biological Sciences, was selected for a Fulbright Specialist Project at Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa or the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG) in Brazil. He will be working to build a university-alumni relationship program.

Carranza has previously worked with UEPG on several projects, including visits with UNT administrators and faculty and the Mayor of Denton, giving the initial lectures for UEPG’s new master’s program in environmental and sanitation engineering, and planning a workshop on energy efficient buildings and communities in Estonia with faculty and administrators at UEPG.

The Fulbright Specialist Project is a six-week trip that Carranza will take in two parts, three weeks this November and three weeks in March. While at UEPG, Carranza will give lectures, lead seminars, and consult with administrators and instructors of post-secondary institutions on faculty development concerning life-long alumni engagement.

“I’m exporting an idea similar to one of our bold goals, to create and provide the best undergraduate education experience to build present and future institutional loyalty based on caring for the success of the students,” Carranza said. “You have to provide that experience to the students for them to be active alumni.”

This work at UEPG will help UNT to build a connection with people within Brazil that can advance study abroad programs and university engagement in within Brazil.

“Building a relationship with key people in Brazil will help UNT strengthen its international agenda in one of its priority countries.” Carranza said. “All of this relationship building is going to provide substantial benefits to UNT.”

At UNT, Carranza oversees the Mexico and Brazil desks, the office of sponsored students, the office of international recruitment and alumni engagement, the international welcome center, and global engagement. He is also a liaison with the Office of Advancement.