When Tyler Fisher earned a Bright Futures Scholarship and went on to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF), he didn’t know that would only be the beginning of his adventure in higher education.
The son of middle school teachers, Fisher always knew college was in his future. The oldest of his siblings, he didn’t want to burden his parents to pay the cost of tuition and housing. Yet from an early age, he knew that the Bright Futures Scholarship could open the doors to his future.
“The scholarship was so well known among those who were planning to go in-state. I knew this opportunity could provide me access to a brighter future,” he says.
While on a college tour at the University of Central Florida, he was impressed by the Burnett Honors College. It was during this trip, he made his choice to attend the university in the fall. As a freshman, he intended to study plant sciences, but was inspired by an instructor who revealed how “engaging and community-facing” English literature can be. Having chosen Spanish for his foreign language requirement, he went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in both English and Spanish.
His academic success also captured the attention of the Rhodes Scholarship selection committee. Named one of 32 Americans and 100 Rhodes Scholars worldwide, Fisher pursued his postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in England. To date, he is the first and only UCF student to earn the prestigious scholarship.
Having since earned his doctorate and conducted research at both Oxford and the University of London, he went on to return to his alma mater in Orlando, Florida. Over the past six years, he served as a tenured associate professor and director of Latin American Studies.
In June 2024, Fisher was appointed Dean of the Honors College at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in his hometown of Fort Myers. He is also a professor of Languages and Literature, and currently teaches “Honoring the Ocean,” a multidisciplinary course for Honors College students, most of whom also earned Bright Futures Scholarships.
As Dean, Fisher also oversees FGCU’s Office of Competitive Fellowships, where he helps students apply for Rhodes, Fulbright and Gilman scholarships. Additionally, he supports students in the Office of Scholarly Innovation and Student Research, which aids students research endeavors in all fields.
“I am privileged to work with undergraduates supported by the Bright Futures Scholarship,” says Fisher who counsels students on how to “level up” their credentials through resume preparation, persuasive interviewing techniques, and the soft skills needed to excel in work and life. “I always encourage my students that while you’re strong academically, that won’t cut it where you want to compete. Now, let’s take that to the next level.’”
Fisher sees in his students a younger, eager version of himself. “Higher education is a public good. My own Bright Futures and Honors College experience raised that ‘good’ to excellence,” he shares. “Students in Florida can get a rigorous academic experience at an affordable cost, without looking beyond their home state. The Bright Future Scholarship has afforded me opportunities that would not have been possible, and I am grateful for the ability to give back.”
About the Florida Lottery / Bright Futures Scholarship
The Florida Lottery puts education in the spotlight with the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery is committed to helping students shine inside and outside of the classroom so they can have brighter tomorrows. Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has contributed billions of dollars to education, sending over one million students to college on Bright Futures Scholarships. Plus, every time you play, you play it forward.
