C-N’s Mraovic-O’Hare receives Fulbright Scholar Award

Carson-Newman University’s Dr. Damjana Mraovic-O’Hare has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. For C-N’s associate professor of English and director of the Writing Center, the news opened the door to an exciting opportunity to study and teach in Belgrade, Serbia.

Being a Fulbright Scholar is considered by many as one of the most prestigious fellowships a U.S. scholar can be awarded, with only 20% who apply earning the honor. Mraovic-O’Hare, who is in her seventh year at Carson-Newman and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Belgrade, says the application process itself is a bit daunting.

“Gathering an institutional support, submitting all the required documents and receiving a final decision takes at least a few months, but developing a project takes, most likely, a bit longer,” she said. “That means that an applicant should be not only a dedicated scholar but also an effective planner; from the application preparation time to the grant starting date, sometimes it can take even two years.”

Despite the arduous application process, Mraovic-O’Hare says it was all worth it.

“I know it is an absolutely juvenile reaction, but when I read the acceptance email, I just started screaming for joy. My husband was working next to me, and he was first confused and terrified that something bad happened—that is, until he saw my face,” she noted. “The happiness and the joy were overwhelming—and also a relief that a year-long process culminated in such a great outcome.”

According to Mraovic-O’Hare, her study project is focused on authors whose origins and ethnic background are associated with Serbia and the countries of the former Yugoslavia, but who are currently well recognized writers of American contemporary literature. The prospect of exploring and studying in the area where such writers as Téa Obreht, Aleksandar Hemon, and Charles Simic have roots is a chance of a lifetime.

“During my three-month stay in Belgrade, Serbia, from September 2024 to January 2025, I will explore those connections,” she said, “and I will also teach two courses at the Department of English and the Department of the Serbian Studies at the Faculty of Philology, Belgrade.”

Crediting Carson-Newman Provost Jeremy J. Buckner for his ongoing support, Mraovic-O’Hare says the experience will not only help her with her own development as a faculty member, but also benefit her students as well.

“I hope to personally demonstrate the importance of diversity and intercultural connections,” she notes, “and especially encourage C-N students to participate in international seminars and programs in order not to only broaden their horizons but also to be conscientious citizens of the world.”