POWELL, WY – Northwest College is welcoming two Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants who are joining the faculty to offer instruction in two foreign languages in addition to other special programming throughout the 2025-26 academic year. Leading Japanese language courses is Miyuki Ono from Tokyo, Japan, and leading Spanish language courses is Maria Ceballos Paz from Tucumán, Argentina. A welcome reception is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, from 4-6 p.m. at the Bloom-Wilson Intercultural House, and the entire community is invited.

Ono graduated from Meiji University in Tokyo in 2019 with a degree in Global Japanese Studies while studying linguistics and international relations. She also spent one semester at Butte College in California during a study abroad program with a focus on communications. Ono began her career as a professional educator at Joshibi High School of Art and Design in the spring of 2020 where she spent five years teaching English at the junior high and high school levels.

With interests in both English and Japanese language education, Ono was impacted by her five-month stay in the United States as a university student. It was during that time she became interested in Japanese as a second language and began exploring lessons that would better advance the understanding of non-native speakers.

“I’m happy the Fulbright program assigned me to participate at Northwest College,” said Ono. “Everyone has been friendly, and I love the nature and fresh air here.”

Paz is a 2024 graduate of the National University of Tucumán where she studied to become an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. She earned a degree in English Teaching and took additional postgraduate courses in First and Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy. Before coming to NWC, Paz worked with teenagers at San Patricio International Baccalaureate High School in Tucumán as well as the Instituto Rush Language Academy.

In addition to her work in the schools, Paz tutors students who are preparing to take international exams such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). She also speaks French, and her previous experience abroad includes a seven-month stint as a Spanish Language Assistant through an exchange program at Lycée Claude Fauriel in Saint-Étienne, France in 2021-22.

“I thought it was beautiful from the moment I arrived here,” said Paz. “Everyone is so warm, welcoming, and friendly. I’m happy to be here and that this will be my home for the year.”

The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It offers educators from more than 55 countries the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain first-hand knowledge of the U.S., its culture and people. The program is also designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages at hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education.

Fulbright FLTAs apply to the program through the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or U.S. Embassy in their home countries. The Institute of International Education (IIE) arranges academic placement for most Fulbright FLTA nominees and supervises participants during their stay in the United States. Candidates are selected based on a variety of factors that may include academic qualifications, project feasibility, personal leadership ability, and available grant funds.