Seven WKU students have been offered 2023 Critical Language Scholarships, and one has been designated an alternate. The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS), a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Recipients spend eight to ten weeks abroad in intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment designed to promote rapid language gains and cultural proficiency in one of fifteen critical languages. WKU’s recipients are among 420 undergraduate and graduate students selected nationwide from a pool of approximately 4900 applicants. 

WKU’s recipients for the 2023 Critical Language Scholarships are: 

Justine Davis (Chinese), a third-year student in International Affairs and Chinese. Justine is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. She is the daughter of Chris and Jennifer Davis of Georgetown. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, Justine plans to pursue a career in the federal government using her Chinese language skills. 

Grace Meiser (Chinese), a fourth-year student in Sociology and Chinese.Grace is the daughter of Dan and Terrie Meiser of Wilder.She is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. Internships with the International Center of Kentucky and at Garden of Hope Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan have helped shape Grace’s career plans toward working with an international NGO addressing human trafficking. 

Meghan Pierce (Arabic), a third-year student in International Affairs and Arabic. Meghan is the daughter of Robin and Richard Pierce of Smiths Grove, and a graduate of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science.She earned a Gilman Scholarship to study Arabic in Jordan in summer 2022 and plans to pursue graduate study in foreign service and Middle Eastern Studies. 

Candice Schlabach (Chinese), a first-year student in Chemistry and Chinese. Candice is the daughter of Michael and Rosanna Schlabach of Auburn. She is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. 

Emma Grace Young (Chinese), a second-year student in Computer Science and Chinese, has been designated an alternate. Emma Grace is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. 

Three students were offered awards but chose to decline to pursue other opportunities: 

Kathryn Klassen (Chinese), a second-year student in Chinese, Asian Religions and Cultures, and International Affairs from Santa Clarita, CA. Kathryn is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year in Taiwan, she plans to pursue a career in the federal government or at a nongovernmental organization using her Chinese language skills. 

Gigi Lamb (Chinese), a second-year student in Anthropology, Chinese, and Asian Religions and Cultures from Cornersville, TN. Gigi is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, she plans to work in textile conservation in museums. 

Isaiah Richardson (Korean), a fourth-year student in Computer Information Technology. Isaiah is the son of Christy Richardson of Bowling Green. After graduating, he plans to work in the United States Foreign Service as an Information Management Specialist. 

Applications for Summer 2024 Critical Language Scholarships open in September 2023, and the deadline is typically in mid-November. Students interested in intensive language study in Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, or Urdu should contact osd@wku.edu for more information. 

About the Office of Scholar Development: The office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience, and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD staff welcome the opportunity to work with any student interested in nationally competitive scholarships that #makemorepossible. 

Contact: Melinda Grimsley, (270) 745-5043