SLOVENIA — Dr. Kristine Turko, professor of psychology and director of the Spectrum Education Center at the University of Mount Union, was selected for the Fulbright Specialist Program, expanding her opportunities to build international partnerships and advance autism education.

Turko’s experience as a Spring 2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar was primarily in Slovenia, where she worked with graduate students, faculty, professionals, autistic children and families. Her experience reinforced the importance of connecting academic preparation with meaningful, supervised hands-on learning.


At Mount Union, Turko is using these experiences to strengthen experiential learning and community engagement through the Spectrum Education Center. Students can gain practical experience by working directly with children with disabilities and their families while learning about disability services and evidence-based practices.

The Spectrum Education Center is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2026 with an event during Alumni Weekend and Homecoming on October 10. For a decade, the Center has provided Mount Union students with meaningful hands-on experiences while supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. Learn more about the Spectrum Education Center and Mount Union’s 2026 Homecoming events.