Professor Brandon Schweitzer, an assistant professor of accounting in UDC Community College’s Business Program, completed a Fulbright Specialist assignment in Medellín, Colombia, in fall 2024. Partnering with Mundo Organizacional at Uniremington’s School of Business, he focused on advancing research into environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and their financial impact on companies across the Pacific Alliance—a key Latin American trade bloc.
During his visit, Dr. Schweitzer led workshops and collaborated closely with faculty and students to deepen their understanding of sustainable business practices in emerging markets.
I caught up with him to learn about his experiences and reflections—here’s what he shared.
PLJ: What was your overall experience working in Colombia as a Fulbright Specialist?
BS: My experience in Colombia as a Fulbright Specialist was deeply rewarding, both professionally and personally. It provided an opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural exchange, collaboration with dedicated faculty and researchers and advancing understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices in the Latin American context. The hospitality of my hosts at Uniremington and the curiosity of the students made the experience particularly impactful.
PLJ: Can you describe some specific projects or activities you were involved in there?
BS: While in Medellín, I led a research initiative titled “ESG Scores and Firm Performance in Pacific Alliance Companies.” The project involved analyzing ESG data from publicly traded firms in Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru to explore correlations with key financial performance indicators. I conducted workshops and training sessions—delivered in both English and Spanish—focused on ESG scoring methodologies, financial analysis and integrating sustainability metrics into corporate strategy. I also collaborated with the Mundo Organizacional research group to develop a long-term framework for ongoing ESG-related studies.
PLJ: What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
BS: One of the main challenges was the scarcity and inconsistency of ESG data for many companies in the region. To address this, I worked closely with the research team to adapt the methodology, relying on publicly available disclosures and cross-referencing multiple data sources. Language was another challenge—while I have conversational Spanish, I simplified presentation materials and speaker notes to ensure clarity and accessibility for all participants.
PLJ: Were there any cultural differences that surprised you or influenced your work?
BS: Yes—the strong sense of community and collaboration in the academic environment stood out. Faculty and students in Colombia often take a relational approach to learning, which influenced how I structured my workshops—placing greater emphasis on dialogue, shared case studies and group reflection. This approach improved engagement and reshaped how I think about creating inclusive learning spaces.
PLJ: How did the local faculty and students respond to your collaboration?
BS: The response was overwhelmingly positive. The faculty expressed enthusiasm for the research collaboration and a strong interest in continuing joint projects beyond the Fulbright visit. Students were highly engaged in the ESG workshops, asking insightful questions and connecting sustainability with economic development in their communities. It’s clear there is a growing appetite for ESG literacy in the region and I was honored to contribute.
PLJ: What impact do you think your work had on the host institution and community?
BS: The greatest impact was capacity-building—equipping faculty and students with tools and frameworks to assess ESG performance and its implications for financial sustainability. By co-developing teaching materials and research models with local scholars, I helped lay the groundwork for future ESG research tailored to the regional context. Several faculty members plan to integrate ESG concepts into their business and economics curricula.
PLJ: Are there any ongoing collaborations or projects resulting from this visit?
BS: Yes. I’m currently working with members of the Mundo Organizacional group to expand our ESG dataset and prepare findings for an academic journal. We’re also exploring a faculty exchange or virtual lecture series to continue collaboration between UDC and Uniremington.
PLJ: What was the most rewarding part of your Fulbright Specialist trip?
BS: The most rewarding part was witnessing the spark of curiosity among students unfamiliar with ESG frameworks. Seeing them critically engaged with sustainability and finance—and considering how these ideas apply to their communities—was inspiring.
PLJ: Are there new initiatives at UDC inspired by your Fulbright experience?
BS: Yes. I’m developing a new study focused on ESG and sustainable business practices in the DMV area. I also plan to build a case study library featuring real-world ESG challenges faced by Latin American companies to enrich classroom discussions and student research.
PLJ: Will your Fulbright Specialist experience influence your teaching or curriculum development at UDC?
BS: Absolutely. The experience reaffirmed the importance of global perspectives in business education. I now integrate ESG analysis more intentionally across my accounting courses and encourage students to consider sustainability’s impact on corporate strategy and stakeholder value. It’s also influenced my curriculum design, emphasizing applied research, community engagement and cross-cultural understanding.