COAS Alumni Spotlight: Ann Laurie M. Pierre

Howard University Alumna | 2025–2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Awardee

A Global Voice for Education, Equity, and Empowerment

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to spotlight Ann Laurie M. Pierre, a recent graduate whose passion for service, education, and global engagement has earned her a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Ann Laurie will serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at Lycée Jacques Brel in La Courneuve, a richly diverse suburb of Paris, France. Through this role, she will not only support students in language learning, but also act as a cultural ambassador, bridging communities through dialogue, mentorship, and shared understanding.

"Teaching, to me, is power," Ann Laurie reflects. "As an aspiring physician, philanthropist, and CEO, my greatest passion lies in pouring into others through education, mentorship, and service."

 

Fulbright and the Howard Legacy

The Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange initiative, selects individuals based on their academic merit and leadership potential. Ann Laurie’s award is a testament to her extraordinary dedication to public service and cross-cultural collaboration, values deeply nurtured during her time at Howard University.

She credits Howard for shaping her into a changemaker:

"Howard University has shaped me into a changemaker, and through Fulbright, I will carry forward that mission on a global scale."

Expanding Horizons and Building Bridges

While in France, Ann Laurie plans to:

• Strengthen her fluency in French
• Immerse herself in French fashion and culture
• Travel across Europe to gain broader global insights
• Shadow medical professionals to prepare for medical school
• Expand her nonprofit, Rooted Diaspora—an initiative focused on connecting communities across the African diaspora

Through these endeavors, she aims to foster greater cultural understanding and build lasting global relationships, further solidifying her role as a connector between cultures, disciplines, and generations.

A Bright Future, Grounded in Service

Ann Laurie’s Fulbright journey places her among an elite group of global scholars and leaders. Since 1946, over 400,000 Fulbright recipients have contributed to international dialogue and cooperation, among them Nobel Laureates, heads of state, and innovators across sectors.

We are immensely proud of Ann Laurie’s accomplishments and her unwavering commitment to education, equity, and excellence. Her journey exemplifies the university’s core values: Leadership, Excellence, Truth, and Service, on a global stage.

Congratulations, Ann Laurie, and we thank you for representing Howard with brilliance and purpose.