GovState’s Natalia Ermasova joins the Fulbright Specialist roster
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
With two Fulbright Scholar experiences behind her, Natalia Ermasova (shown left), a Public Administration and Finance professor at Governors State University (GovState), now joins the Fulbright Specialist roster.
Already, Ermasova has her next position lined up as a Fulbright Specialist in Matej Bel University, Slovakia for fall 2025, where she is excited to share academic experience and bring back lessons for those at GovState.
“The knowledge gained from working with an international institution helps to develop curriculum at GovState,” said Ermasova, GovState's Coordinator of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, who has worked extensively on improving the program. “I could incorporate global case studies, comparative policy analyses, and cross-cultural perspectives into my courses.”
Ermasova added that there are more benefits. “Lessons learned from the Fulbright experience are shared through faculty seminars, guest lectures, and student workshops at GovState, enhancing pedogeological practices and student learning outcomes.”
Ermasova’s tenure ends June 13, 2028. As a Specialist, Ermasova is eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in over 150 countries.
“We are delighted that Dr. Ermasova has been named a Fulbright Specialist,” said Dr. Beverly Schneller, Provost of GovState. “Her work in public administration and research with international partners has created new and unique ways for her to contribute her expertise to her host country’s institution while increasing the globalism in our curriculum.”
In her last Fulbright experience, Ermasova taught public management and finance courses at Hungary’s National University of Public Service during the 2023-2024 academic year. It was a return to Hungary for Ermasova, who had previously served as a visiting professor at Corvinus University, developing academic and educational cooperation between Corvinus and GovState.
She anticipates this new experience will broaden her network of scholars, opening doors for collaboration.
“Developing research partnerships with international scholars would create opportunities for joint publications, grant applications, and conference presentations, elevating GovState’s research profile,” said Ermasova.
This latest accomplishment for Ermasova follows recent advancements for GovState in the Fulbright realm, including hosting two scholars on campus in the 2024-2025 academic year.
“Overall, we are thrilled by the growth of our specialists and our ability to host two Fulbright scholars last year,” said Dr. Schneller. “Dr. Ermasova is an excellent ambassador for Governors State and our campus community.”