Persistence led to Fulbright English Teaching Fellowship, says W. P. Carey alum Danny Holton

Danny Holton has always had a passion for sustainability. As a third-year student, focused on corporate responsibility, he realized how much he appreciated coursework infused with a global perspective, and decided to apply for the Fulbright Fellowship in Malaysia.

Danny Holton (BA Business Sustainability ’20) has always had a passion for sustainability. As a third-year student, focused on corporate responsibility, he realized how much he appreciated coursework infused with a global perspective, and decided to apply for the Fulbright Fellowship in Malaysia.

“I tried twice, and didn’t get in,” Holton mentions. Even though he wasn’t sure the process would turn out in his favor, he didn’t give up. “I decided to apply for the Fulbright English Teaching Fellowship in Taiwan, and they ended up giving me a shot.”

Holton appreciates the opportunity and credits his experiences outside the classroom as a catalyst for his success. “Many people asked me why I kept trying,” he says. “Proving that I could do it was always on my mind, but I also cared deeply about making an impact.”

His participation in sports has given him an advantage when it comes to infusing creativity into potential lesson plans. “I’d love to showcase my favorite sports to students, and they can show me some of theirs,” he says. “It’s a way that we can share cultures, and build rapport.”

When he starts his Fulbright English Teaching Fellowship this September in Taiwan, his goal is to encourage students to become sustainability leaders and help them with their English proficiency. “I’m excited to take what I’ve learned outside of the classroom, and bring it into the classroom,” he mentions.

Holton also looks forward to applying the teaching skills he gained as a W. P. Carey student. “It was a huge opportunity W. P. Carey offered,” he says, referring to his experience co-teaching and managing a classroom of first-year W. P. Carey students during his sophomore year.

Taken by all first-year business students — and taught by W. P. Carey students, faculty, and staff alike — WPC 101 introduces new undergraduates to the resources, opportunities, and communities available to them at W. P. Carey and ASU. “It allowed me to grow as a teacher and a mentor,” he says.

Holton is eager to get going, and hopes to make learning fun for his students. “I want to use associations to help them learn English — while combining learning and exercise.”

He’s looking forward to adjusting to the culture in Taiwan. “Even though you don’t have to learn Mandarin as a Fulbright participant, I want to take classes and practice with peers, too.”

As a kid growing up in the San Francisco area, Holton was pushed to see business and sustainability through a global lens. “I was always mindful about the importance of sustainability and its relationship to something greater,” he reflects.

“My dad always encouraged me to bike to school. I would see cars as I was biking, and smell the exhaust from them.” For Holton, it was a simple reminder to be thoughtful about how he could make a difference.

W. P. Carey gave him even more insight into increasing mutual understanding between cultures. “During my Fulbright experience, I hope to create impact — starting small can change the world. ”