UW–Madison’s Milda Aksamitauskas has been selected as one of only 12 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassadors nationwide for 2026.
Chosen from a competitive pool of over 200 applicants, Aksamitauskas will spend the next two years representing the program at national conferences, hosting webinars, and mentoring future applicants—including fellow Badgers.
“I was very honored and excited when I heard the news,” Aksamitauskas said. “I am always reminded that Fulbright alumni are a pretty large group and it is extremely diverse in terms of professional fields and passions.”
Aksamitauskas’s ambassadorship stems from her Fulbright Public Policy exchange to Lithuania in 2023, where she collaborated directly with the Prime Minister’s Office and the State Data Agency on a national data strategy.
“The team in Lithuania was very eager to work on this project, and political people want to show impact quickly, so we did not waste a single day,” Aksamitauskas noted. “When something important is decided in a 45-minute meeting, you can see how fast things can change on a national scale.”
The reach of her exchange continues in Wisconsin. Aksamitauskas has channeled her inspiration back into the local community through the Madison Vilnius Sister Cities organization, supporting Lithuanian companies expanding into the U.S. market.
“I returned to Madison really inspired by Lithuania’s growing economy, and Madison Vilnius Sister Cities is a place where I can channel my citizen diplomacy,” she explained. “There are many Lithuanian companies that already have business in the U.S. and want to expand here… I am rooting for their success.”
It is this dedication to ongoing global connection and local impact that paved the way for her new national role. As an Alumni Ambassador, Aksamitauskas will draw directly on these experiences to inspire other scholars to build lasting international ties.
“International exchange is for everyone… When you go somewhere as a Fulbrighter, you are going as an ambassador. Showing the best values of Americans – friendliness, generosity, democratic decision-making, innovation – you connect with people at a personal level. That personal connection is the most meaningful connection, and it still matters in bringing peace. When you return after the project, I think you see the U.S. and your community with new eyes.”
Interested in pursuing a Fulbright opportunity? Visit the program website to learn more about the different Fulbright programs and campus application resources.
Story by Kayla Daum