Cuesta College art instructor Ruta Saliklis has been selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2026–2027 academic year, earning one of the nation’s most prestigious international academic honors. As part of the award, Saliklis will travel to Lithuania to teach, conduct research, and collaborate with educators while exploring innovative approaches to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education through the study of traditional Lithuanian textiles.
Saliklis is the second representative from Cuesta College to receive a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award and the first faculty member from the college’s Fine Arts Division. The first recipient was Aubrey Kuan Roderick in 2024.
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recognizes accomplished faculty and professionals who advance international collaboration through teaching, research, and cultural exchange. Established in 1946, the program has produced generations of global leaders, including Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize recipients, and MacArthur Fellows.
Saliklis, who teaches Art Appreciation and Drawing at Cuesta College and instructs approximately 180 students each year, will partner with Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania’s national STEAM centers, and regional high schools to examine how traditional textile arts intersect with STEAM programs. Her research will explore the biology of flax fibers, the mechanics of weaving, the mathematics of traditional sash patterns, and the chemistry of natural dyes through workshops, exhibitions, and public lectures.
“This is an incredible opportunity to represent both the United States and Cuesta College in Lithuania, the country my family came from,” said Saliklis. “It allows me to build meaningful professional relationships, exchange ideas internationally, and continue research that has been an important part of my academic career.”
Saliklis’ connection to Lithuania began more than three decades ago when she received a Fulbright U.S. Student grant to conduct dissertation research on Lithuanian textiles. Her new Fulbright Scholar award builds on that work while expanding its educational impact through contemporary STEAM instruction.
When she returns to Cuesta College, Saliklis plans to bring her international experience directly into the classroom through project-based learning that connects art, science, and local culture.
“Art teaches students how to observe, analyze, and think critically – skills that are valuable in every field,” Saliklis said. “Experiencing how another country approaches STEAM education will make me a stronger, more empathetic instructor and help me better connect with students from diverse backgrounds.”
Students will have opportunities to engage with the research after Saliklis returns, as she incorporates lessons from Lithuania into new classroom projects that integrate art with STEM disciplines while making the material relevant to students’ lives in California.
The Fulbright experience is expected to strengthen Cuesta College’s international partnerships while enriching the educational experience of local students through new global perspectives and collaborative learning opportunities.
The Fulbright Program operates in more than 160 countries and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange.