Western Kentucky University student receives Fulbright grant to study in Belgium

Ashton Lyvers, who will be graduating from Western Kentucky University this May after studying Psychological Science and Criminology, has been awarded a Fulbright US Student Program grant that will bring her to Belgium to continue research on her Honors’ thesis which was entitled “Masculinity, Femininity, & Dignity: Examining the Relationship Between Gender Expression and Respect.”

The Fulbright US Student Program is a US government-sponsored program that encourages international exchange of information and culture. In order to participate in the program, a student must submit an application and will be chosen based on academic and leadership skills and achievements.

According to an article on Western Kentucky University’s website, Lyvers has had a successful run of her undergraduate career. She earned a Gilman Scholarship that allowed her to study abroad in Denmark in the summer of 2022, as well as spent her final two academic semesters studying abroad in France and Spain. Following her upcoming stint in Belgium, she plans to go on to earn a PhD in clinical psychology, which will allow her to open a practice to help youths and young adults who are experiencing mental health challenges.

Of the topic of her Honors’ thesis and her planned continued Fulbright grant research, Lyvers was quoted as saying, “Having been raised by a single mother, as well as being a woman in a STEM field has allowed me to see firsthand the importance of gender equality.” Her research will contribute to a pool of knowledge about the relationship between and correlation of gender expression and the respect that a person receives because of it.

Lyvers credits the help she received from the Office of Scholar Development at Western Kentucky University for helping her realize where her academic passions lay. She said, “Before, I thought I understood my passions for psychology and gender expression. It was easy to identify the ‘what’ of my goals for research. However, it wasn’t until my collaboration with OSD that I was able to connect the dots from my life and realize my ‘why.’” She added, “Without this support, not only would my Fulbright experience not be possible, but additionally, I would not feel as confident in my research as I do now. Each of these women have aided me in becoming a better researcher.” Lyvers went on to name Lindsey Houchin and Melinda Grimsley of the Office of Scholar Development and faculty members Amy Brausch and Molly Kerby as being instrumental in her success.

“I feel inspired for the future. I feel like I can make a true difference with my research,” said Lyvers.

For more information about Western Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.