Two American academics are enriching the curriculum at Palacký University this year. Thanks to the prestigious Fulbright Program, political scientist Keith E. Lee from Valdosta State University and financial education specialist Lucy M. Delgadillo from Utah State University are teaching here during the summer semester.
Keith E. Lee teaches at the Department of Politics and European Studies at the UP Faculty of Arts, where he works with students in the field of political science. At the UP Faculty of Education, Lucy M. Delgadillo, who has long focused on financial literacy and education, is sharing her expertise.
The involvement of foreign experts through the Fulbright Program strengthens not only the quality of teaching and research but also the international dimension of the academic environment. The programme, which is jointly funded by the governments of the Czech Republic and the United States, enables Czech institutions to host leading educators and researchers from the U.S.
“In my seminar, students critically examine how American political institutions—from Congress and the presidency to the judicial system—influence the formation of public policy. How they cope with various constraints, and how they exercise power in a complex political environment,” said Keith E. Lee, an American political scientist and university professor who has been teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia since 2020. At UP, he also teaches courses focused on working with data in the social sciences. In these courses, he introduces students to both the basics of data analysis and more advanced visualisation techniques. He emphasises not only the processing of data itself, but also the ability to clearly and effectively communicate the results of analyses to a broader audience, particularly users from both the public and private sectors.
"Czech students are not afraid to ask thoughtful questions; my colleagues are very open-minded and intellectually stimulating.” Keith E. Lee
“Working with Czech students and academics is very inspiring for me. The students are thoughtful, well-prepared, and unafraid to ask thoughtful questions that lead to genuine debate. My colleagues at Palacký University are very open-minded and intellectually stimulating. All of this contributes to an excellent environment for teaching and academic teamwork,” he added. He has been collaborating with Palacký University for several years. He last visited the Czech Republic in May 2024 as part of the Maymester program, when he accompanied American students from Valdosta State University during their academic stay in Olomouc. As part of the programme of the same name, students from his home institution will be coming to UP again this May.
Keith E. Lee is well acquainted with the local academic environment. He is even studying Czech, which demonstrates his interest in the local academic and cultural environment and strengthens his qualifications for international educational collaboration. He will deliver a public lecture titled Congress at the Crossroads: War Powers and the Crisis of Congressional Authority in the Václav Havel Lecture Hall. It will take place on April 27 at 5 p.m.
Lucy M. Delgadillo has already lectured as part of the “Afternoon with Science” series during her stay at the UP Faculty of Education. Her research interests include financial coaching, counselling, and education with a focus on behavioural finance, the affective and cognitive outcomes of financial literacy initiatives, and housing finance. Students can meet her primarily in the Financial Literacy course.
When speaking with students who want to pursue a teaching career, she always emphasises the fundamental professional requirements. “Love your students. Sincerely. That is the foundation of everything. Learning is only possible when students feel seen, respected, and cared for. Focus on the learning process, not just the results. Real education happens through questions, mistakes, growth, and small breakthroughs. If you focus on how students learn—and not just what they produce—you will have a lasting impact. And above all, be patient—with your students and with yourself. Learning is a journey for both the teacher and the student,” she said.
“Real education happens through questions, mistakes, growth, and small breakthroughs.” Lucy M. Delgadillo
During her visit to the Faculty of Education at UP, she is also participating in research. Together with Alena Opletalová from the Institute of Pedagogy at the UP Faculty of Education, she is preparing an article for publication titled What Utah Can Learn from the Czech Republic: Opportunities to Improve Financial Literacy Among High School Students. This study aims to compare mandatory financial literacy courses for secondary school students in Utah and the Czech Republic. By examining structural and curricular features, as well as differences in teacher preparation and competency requirements, this research study seeks to offer insights into best teaching practices and recommend strategies for improving financial literacy in both countries.
In the future, both researchers hope to present their findings at at least one national or international conference. “Dr. Opletalová and I have excellent academic synergy. I hope this first collaboration of ours will lead to further ones,” concluded Lucy M. Delgadillo.
Dr. Keith E. Lee is an American political scientist and university professor who has been teaching at Valdosta State University in Georgia (USA) since 2020, where he specialises in research and teaching on the U.S. Congress, Southern U.S. politics, and public administration. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science (2010) and a master’s degree in public administration (2011) from Valdosta State University. He completed his doctoral studies in political science in 2017 at the University of Florida. His research focuses on American politics and public policy; his studies have been published in numerous academic journals and presented at international conferences. He is the co-author of a public policy textbook and actively participates in the professional life of the political science community, and holds a leadership position in the Georgia Political Science Association. In addition to his academic work, he collaborates with local governments and non-profit organisations as a data analyst, supporting decision-making based on empirical data.
Lucy Delgadillo is a faculty member at the College of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education at Utah State University, where she teaches and conducts research in family finance, communication, and financial literacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Family Life (Consumer Sciences – Housing) from the same university in 1999, where she had previously earned a master’s degree in political science with a focus on political communication. Her education also includes two bachelor’s degrees in communication, sociology, and media studies from the University of Costa Rica and Murray State University in Kentucky. She is the author of more than 100 publications. In addition to research, she is passionate about working with future teachers, with whom she collaborates on developing financial literacy among students across various educational disciplines. In collaboration with Alena Opletalová, she compares financial education in the Czech Republic and Utah. She develops recommendations for improvement for both states.