Baruch Graduate Student Wins Boren Fellowship to Study in Croatia
June 6, 2025
With a Baruch College graduate degree and the Boren Fellowship in hand, Maximillian Saltus sets his sights on a career as a Commercial Service Officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Baruch College graduate student Maximillian Saltus (’26) has been awarded a coveted Boren Fellowship to study abroad at the University of Zagreb in Croatia—an experience that will deepen his language skills, expand his global perspective, and prepare him for a public service career in international trade and commerce.
Saltus, who is pursuing a Masters of International Affairs with a concentration in Global Security at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, is only the third student in Baruch’s history to receive the competitive fellowship.
Beginning in August, he will immerse himself in Croation language and culture through academic study and volunteer work with underserved communities.
“Winning the Fellowship was both immense joy and relief,” Saltus says. “This award is the culmination of the hard work and effort I have put into my academic and professional experiences.”
Saltus’ decision to study Croatian reflects a strategic outlook on international affairs.
“I chose to study Croatian due to the country’s strategic role in Southeast Europe that could enhance future trade agreements with the United States and further strengthen our defense supply chains,” he explains. “Additionally, the language is not commonly spoken in the U.S. federal government.”
Following the Fellowship, Saltus intends to serve at the Department of Commerce as part of his federal service obligation, paving the way toward his ultimate goal of becoming a Commercial Service Officer.
About the Boren Fellowship
The David L. Boren Fellowship, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, is a federal initiative designed to build a broader and more qualified pool of U.S. citizens with foreign language and international skills. All Boren Awards provide U.S. undergraduate and graduate students with resources and encouragement to acquire language skills and experience in overseas locations critical to the future security and stability of the United States.
Fellowship and Scholarship Advising Support
Saltus’ achievement was supported by Baruch’s Office of National and Prestigious Fellowship Advising, which offers expert guidance for undergraduate and graduate students through the steps to applying for scholarships and fellowships, from connecting to faculty, to refining your ideas, to final stages of writing and submitting your proposal.
Learn more: Watch this video to meet the Office’s deputy directory, Valeria Hrimnak, hear student success stories, and learn about all the resources offered to Baruch students.
# # #