The Future of the Past: Dr. Earl Mulderink Specializes in New International Education Collaboration
Published: March 17, 2026 | Author: Kierstin Holloway | Read Time: 2 minutes
Dr. Earl Mulderink, a history professor at Southern Utah University, has been selected for a Fulbright Specialist Program, funding a course on United States history that he will develop, starting this April, at the University of Debrecen (UD) in Hungary.
"Our goal is to create a dynamic online class, focused on this country's history, that could be eventually co-taught by SUU and UD faculty and include students from both universities," said Mulderink. "I think it will be educational, and even exciting, to teach and learn in a cross-institutional and cross-national context."
Mulderink was encouraged to apply for the grant by Dr. Kurt Harris, director of SUU's Office of Learning Abroad, who connected him with Dr. Venkovits Balázs, who directs the Institute of English and American Studies at the University of Debrecen. Mulderink's application was tailored to fit the needs of UD, and they selected him as the preferred applicant for the proposed program. Mulderink looks forward to collaborating with UD faculty on this project.
"I would hope that Hungarian students gain what I hope American students gain: an appreciation for the complexity of human history and the vital importance of thinking critically, objectively, and truthfully about the past," Mulderink said.
With over three decades of education experience at SUU and a broad background in teaching diverse history classes online, Mulderink is more than qualified to pilot the creation of this international course. The course Mulderink will be developing is titled "Building Bridges Through a Hybrid Course on U.S. History."
"This Fulbright Specialist opportunity is a nice culmination to my career, as I have always enjoyed learning new things through professional collaborations and international travel," said Mulderink.
An important part of this Fulbright Specialist Program is the report that Mulderink will bring back to the Fulbright Board and to SUU about what was learned and accomplished during his time in Hungary. He will then be able to offer more specific suggestions for course development, program collaboration, and cross-institutional partnerships that will benefit SUU and UD.
"Ideally, a hybrid course engages all types of learners and optimizes the most effective teaching and learning technologies," said Mulderink. "Also, as I know from developing online courses over twenty-plus years, a hybrid course allows for great flexibility in format and content, so it can be easily adapted and updated."
About SUU's Office of Learning Abroad:
SUU's Office of Learning Abroad (OLA) facilitates opportunities for SUU students, faculty, and staff to travel and study abroad. Their vision includes enabling the entire SUU community to experience the richness of other cultures, to honor diversity, to practice empathy, and to find personal fulfillment.
About SUU's Department of History, Sociology, and Anthropology:
The Department of History, Sociology, and Anthropology at SUU is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Faculty help equip students with analytical and communication skills, which enable them to investigate past and present human cultures and societies. Students learn skills that allow them to communicate their findings logically, scientifically, and effectively.Contact Information
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu