Two WKU students have been offered 2024 Critical Language Scholarships, and two have been designated alternates. 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 fourteen critical languages. WKU’s recipients are among approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students selected nationwide from a pool of more than 5000 applicants. 

WKU’s recipients for the 2024 Critical Language Scholarships: 

Lilian Branch (left), a first-year student in Molecular Biotechnology and Chinese as well as a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU, will study Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan. She is the daughter of Gwen and Clint Branch of Chattanooga, Tennessee. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, Lilian plans to pursue a career in research, using her language skills to collaborate with scientists internationally to address issues of shared concern like antibiotic resistance and emerging infectious diseases. 

Samuel Engel (right), a second-year student in Visual Arts and Graphic Design, will study Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Samuel is the son of Alexandra and Kenneth Engel of Franklin. Samuel received a Lifetime Experience Grant from the Office of Scholar Development last year to fund participation in a summer design workshop in Switzerland. With CLS, he hopes to build the Portuguese language proficiency he has as the son of a native speaker to connect with artists in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

“Applying for CLS made me reflect on my role as a citizen diplomat,” he says. “Meaningful relationships I’ve made internationally have shaped me, brought me new perspectives, and made me who I am today. I look forward to those that await in Brazil.” 

Alternates for the Critical Language Scholarships who will be upgraded if additional places become available in language institutes: 

Emma Harris, a second-year student in International Affairs and English as well as a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU, has been designated an alternate for Korean. Emma is a graduate of the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science and spent a year in Taiwan with the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth program before continuing enrollment at WKU. She plans to pursue a career as an intelligence analyst in the federal government. 

Meghan Pierce, a fourth-year student in International Affairs, Arabic, and Economics,is an alternate for Arabic. Meghan received a CLS award last year. 

“Receiving a Critical Language Scholarship last year was so impactful in my journey to learn Arabic and to engage in cross-cultural communication. I am so thankful for that experience that I decided to apply again for the opportunity this year. Moving on in the selection process for a second year is truly an honor, and I cannot be more grateful.”

After graduating this May, Meghan will pursue a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy and a career in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service.  

Lilian encourages other students to give the Critical Language Scholarship and other nationally competitive scholarships a try.

“Applying to competitive scholarships seemed very daunting to me, but when I heard the Office of Scholar Development staff say that applying for a scholarship is just like knocking on a door to see what's there, I was encouraged,” she said. “I am very glad I took that chance to apply. You never know what awaits you.” 

Applications for Summer 2025 Critical Language Scholarships open in September 2024, and the deadline is typically in mid-November. Students interested in intensive language study in Arabic, Azerbaijani, 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: OSD mentors students applying for national scholarships to fund “academic extras” such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more. From first drafts to final submissions with multiple revisions in between, OSD helps students make more possible. By conceptualizing and revising the stories they tell in application essays, students better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose—and explore multiple possible pathways to that work.

Contact: Melinda Grimsley