Criminal justice professor awarded Fulbright Specialist grant to work in Budapest
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January 29, 2025 : By Logan Smith - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Before joining the Army, Liberty University Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Christopher Rhoades never imagined leaving his home state of Missouri. Rhoades had little desire to travel beyond his familiar surroundings in the small town of Willow Springs, let alone see the world.
But God had different plans for him — plans that would take him across the nation and around the world to serve his country and now into the capital city of Budapest, Hungary, where he will serve this spring at Metropolitan University as a Fulbright Specialist
The Fulbright Specialist Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is a unique opportunity for U.S. scholars and established professionals to engage in short-term, project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe.
Rhoades’ grant provides an opportunity to use his military background and academic experience as a college professor to partner with Metropolitan University in Budapest. He will depart at the end of April and stay for three weeks.
“The opportunities I had to travel abroad (in the Army) and to see other cultures were pivotal, and I included a lot of those experiences in my Fulbright application,” he said. “I hope to get a chance to see what Hungary’s criminal justice system is firsthand and learn about it a little more. And maybe if I do a Fullbright (scholar) program, I could possibly research in depth.”
Following a 10-year venture in the armed forces, Rhoades came to Liberty in 2014 as a Senior Military Science Instructor for the Army ROTC program. In 2019, he became an assistant professor with the Helms School of Government where he also serves as the Assistant Director for Online Operations.
His next endeavor will take him to the Old Soviet Bloc in Budapest, where he will lead a workshop on human behavior in cross-cultural engagement.
“It was exciting to get accepted,” he said of his Fulbright recognition. “It’s a real honor to be amongst this group. … I’m excited to see this coming through, and I’m looking forward to learning more. I’ve got my own ideas for projects that would support my proposal, but I will be very open to where the Lord takes this whole exchange.”
While each Fulbright opportunity presents unique challenges and unpredictable circumstances, Rhoades is hoping to acclimate quickly to the new environment and dedicate at least one week to preparations, one week toward the workshops and engagement, and a final week collecting feedback before returning to America.
Rhoades said he will also take every opportunity to represent Christ and Liberty University in Hungary, which he said especially in foreign countries comes down to action — not necessarily words.
“I want to go there and just put my best foot forward, be an example of how Liberty comports itself and how to represent Christ. I want to make sure that my behavior is going to be one that’s representative of a Christian and biblical worldview.”
Rhoades thanked the leadership in the Helms School of Government, including Associate Dean Dr. Jason Ross and Fulbright Program Advisor and Scholar Liaison Dr. Edna Udobong, who both wrote letters of recommendation for his application.
Rhoades highly recommends that faculty and students apply for Fulbright opportunities, no matter what stage or level they are at in their career.
“The Fulbright program is a great opportunity for anyone,” he said. “If you are an endowed professor with the highest credentials, or if you’re just beginning to gain teaching experience, there’s a spot for you to take part in this exchange.”
To learn more about Fulbright opportunities and how to apply, contact Professor Edna Udobong, Liberty’s Fulbright Program Advisor, at eudobong3@liberty.edu.