ASU grad takes sustainable food passion to Slovakia with Fulbright Award
Hayley Hunter never imagined that her early experiences volunteering on a university farm in Georgia would one day lead her across the globe.
Her grandfather was a corn and peanut farmer in south Georgia, but it wasn’t until Hunter volunteered at UGArden, an organic student and community farm at the University of Georgia, that she realized agriculture could be more than a family legacy. It became her passion and her life’s work.
That passion shaped her undergraduate years at the University of Georgia, where she studied international affairs with a minor in horticulture and a certificate in sustainability. After graduation, she continued building her community focus through service with AmeriCorps VISTA and later at Concrete Jungle, a nonprofit that forages surplus fruit from farms and urban spaces to support food security efforts across the state.
But Hunter wanted to deepen her academic foundation and explore food systems and security more. That’s what led her to Arizona State University’s online Master of Science in sustainable food systems in the School of Sustainability, a unit within the Rob Walton College of Global Futures.
“While I had some exposure to these topics in undergrad through horticulture and sustainability classes, I wanted to expand my knowledge and apply it more systematically,” she said.
At ASU, she found the balance between academic research and real-world application. Through courses like Tools and Tactics for Food Policy Change, she wrote policy memos that enhanced her understanding of the federal food system. She also credited two immersive experiences for adding depth to the program and providing real-world learning: meeting farmers across Arizona and learning about the work of USDA leaders in Washington, D.C.
ASU also gave her direct support in pursuing national scholarships. When she decided to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, she worked with Catherine Salgado, program manager at the Office of National Scholarship Advisement, who guided her through the application process.
“She helped me narrow down country options, provided guidance on the application process, and offered valuable tips for answering application questions,” Hunter said.
That preparation and hard work paid off. This year, she was awarded a Fulbright grant to teach English in Slovakia.
Starting this fall, she will teach at Stredná odborná škola veterinárna, a veterinary and agricultural vocational school in Nitra, Slovakia. She plans to teach classes alongside local instructors and lead an English club for extra practice and creative learning. Beyond the classroom, she hopes to support the community, tailor activities to students’ interests, and learn about local agriculture and food systems.
“Receiving the Fulbright grant is an incredible honor,” she shared. “Personally, it represents the chance to immerse myself in a new culture and grow as an individual. Professionally, it offers the opportunity to develop my teaching skills and gain experience working in cross-cultural environments. I hope to become more confident in these settings, build meaningful connections, and bring new perspectives to my future work in sustainable food systems and community engagement.”
Looking ahead, Hunter hopes the Fulbright will strengthen her leadership skills and prepare her for a career in program management within food systems, ideally with an international focus.
For her, the Fulbright is more than an academic or professional achievement — it’s a continuation of the path that started with passion, grew through community action, and was shaped by her ASU journey.
“I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity and deeply grateful to all of my past professors, advisors and mentors who supported and guided me along the way,” Hunter said. “I hope to represent ASU well during my Fulbright experience and carry forward the values and knowledge I gained through the program.”