Presbyterian College graduate, wrestler Samantha Hauff, earns Fulbright Award to teach English in Bulgaria

Wrestler, writer, and scholar Samantha Hauff combines storytelling and cultural heritage in prestigious international fellowship

Samantha Hauff, a 2025 graduate of Presbyterian College, is heading to Bulgaria this fall—not for competition, but for connection. Hauff has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grant, allowing her to spend the upcoming academic year teaching English and engaging in cultural exchange at a foreign language high school in Montana, Bulgaria.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is one of the most competitive international exchange programs in the world.

“This award reflects years of hard work, mentorship, and a passion for making a difference through education and culture,” Hauff said. “I’m honored to represent Presbyterian College and the United States in this way.”

PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson praised Hauff’s achievement, calling her “an extraordinary student whose story truly embodies the spirit of Presbyterian College.”

“Samantha’s academic record, leadership, and service to others are inspiring,” Gustafson said. “We are incredibly proud of her. She is a shining example of what it means to pursue a life of meaning and purpose.”

Storytelling and Slavic Roots

Hauff, an English major from Bethlehem, Ga., graduated with a concentration in communication studies and a resume that spans academics, athletics, and public service. Her Fulbright application highlighted her heritage, her research, and her passion for mentorship.

“I have been gifted many stories by an assortment of Slavic storytellers,” Hauff wrote in her personal statement. “Though I’ve never lived in Eastern Europe, I’ve carried the legacy of my Ukrainian family through words and traditions passed down at kitchen tables and in living rooms.”

Those stories—of joy, hardship, displacement, and survival—helped Hauff form a strong connection to the Slavic world. During her junior year at PC, she completed a capstone project on “Chervona Kalyna,” a Ukrainian folk song that has become a symbol of resistance amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Her interest in Eastern European culture deepened when she trained for the 2023 U.S. Beach Wrestling National Championships with a Bulgarian coach. A decorated athlete in his own right, the coach introduced Hauff to Bulgarian customs and sports culture. Their conversations sparked her curiosity about Bulgaria’s embrace of women’s wrestling—an interest that would later guide her Fulbright country selection.

Hauff won the U20 Women’s 70kg division at the national championship and was selected to represent Team USA at the U20 World Championships in Romania. Though an injury prevented her from competing, the experience solidified her drive to pursue international opportunities that combine her passions.

Champion on the Mat and in the Classroom

At PC, Hauff balanced academic rigor with athletic excellence. A member of the college’s inaugural NCAA Division I Women’s Wrestling Team, she made her mark not only as a competitor but as a leader and advocate for women in sports.

She also shined as a writer and journalist. As a Russell Program intern, she authored the article “Trails Ablaze, Glass Ceilings Shatter: PC Takes Down the First NCAA DI Women’s Wrestling Quad Dual” for The Bluestocking. The story won first place for Best Collegiate Sports Story in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association Awards.

This spring, Hauff was named Outstanding Senior in Communication Studies, a recognition of her excellence in writing, rhetoric, and public speaking.

Through PC’s Center for Inquiry, Research, and Scholarship, the college mentors and advises students like Hauff to pursue their scholarly journeys beyond PC through programs like the Fulbright. Her academic advisors encouraged her to apply for the prestigious scholarship and helped guide her through the competitive process.

“I’m especially grateful to the liberal arts education at PC for empowering me to find and pursue this path—a blend of education, cultural exchange, and service,” Hauff said. “And I’m deeply thankful for the mentorship of Dr. Julie Meadows, Dr. Philip Perdue, Dr. Jaclyn Sumner, and Dr. Stephan Wiecki.”

Teaching and Mentorship

Hauff’s Fulbright assignment in Bulgaria will include not only classroom instruction but also leading her school’s team in the Bulgarian English Speech Tournament (BEST). She’ll coach students in public speaking, debate, and rhetoric—skills she honed during her time at PC.

“I want my students not only to learn how to speak English but to develop their own unique voice in the language,” Hauff said. “To be poetic, insightful, and even funny. To find their own stories.”

She also plans to host extracurricular activities like conversation clubs, creative writing workshops, and community hikes, where students can practice English in casual settings. A commemorative book project will allow students to publish their own folklore and poetry by the end of the year.

Hauff brings experience as a substitute teacher and wrestling coach in underserved schools in Georgia and South Carolina. While working with students facing instability, poverty, or trauma, she discovered creative ways to engage them—whether through storytelling, games, or role-playing lessons.

“I believe that second-language learners respond to the same consistent, energetic engagement as disadvantaged learners,” she said. “Art and imagination open doors to learning.”

Her coaching background will also follow her abroad. Hauff intends to join a local wrestling club in Bulgaria to train, mentor young athletes, and represent USA Women’s Wrestling in open competitions.

A Vision for the Future

After returning from Bulgaria, Hauff plans to pursue a master’s degree in communication and rhetoric. Her goal is to teach at the university level, focusing on the intersection of Slavic identity, politics, and cultural storytelling.

She hopes to challenge the traditionally Russocentric narrative in Slavic Studies by amplifying the voices and stories of underrepresented nations like Bulgaria and Ukraine.

“An ETA in Bulgaria is a key transitional step in my career,” she said. “It will sharpen my teaching skills, deepen my cultural knowledge, and allow me to serve a community while preparing for the academic work I want to do.”

For now, though, Hauff is eager to begin her journey, meet her students, and immerse herself in a country that shares her love for heritage and resilience.

“In Bulgaria, history isn’t just remembered—it’s retold,” she said. “I can’t wait to be part of that.”