WKU has been named a 2016-17 top producer of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. WKU is tied for 26^th among more than 100 institutions nationwide with more than 15,000 undergraduates. This is the first time Gilman top-producing institutions have been recognized.

WKU was also named to Gilman “Priority Achievements” lists for institutions with the most diversity in overseas destinations and for sending abroad the most first-generation college students, racial or ethnic minority students, and students studying in STEM fields. 

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 100 WKU students have studied abroad with Gilman Scholarships. Seventeen WKU students received Gilman Scholarships during academic year 2016-17. They include:

• Bryan Anders, a biology major from Bowling Green, who studied abroad in Japan during summer 2017.
• Sierra Bailey, social work major from Lexington, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Austin Barnes, a computer science and Chinese major from Hodgenville, who studied abroad in China during summer 2017.
• Magen Estep, a marketing major from Bowling Green, who studied abroad in South Africa during summer 2017.
• Rachel Fisher, a biology major from Russellville, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Whitley Gregory, an elementary education major from Nicholasville, who completed student teaching in Germany during fall 2017.
• Jade Haywood, a journalism major from Charlotte, North Carolina, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Courtney Hurst, a special education major from Louisville, who studied abroad in Costa Rica during summer 2017.
• Kelsy Leppo, an agriculture major from Lexington, who studied abroad in New Zealand during fall 2017.
• Bradley Orr, an international affairs major and Asian religions and cultures major from Guston, who studied abroad in South Korea for academic year 2017-18.
• Morgan Ramey, an Asian religions and cultures and anthropology major from Eddyville, who studied abroad in Japan during summer 2017.
• Melissa Reeves, a healthcare administration major from Louisville, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Deven Richardson, a political science and international affairs major from Bowling Green, who studied abroad in Japan during spring 2017.
• Monica Wallace, a political science and paralegal studies major from Princeton, who studied abroad in Morocco during summer 2017.
• Chanel Watkins, a social work major from Louisville, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Gracen Williams, a social work major from Hodgenville, who studied abroad in Tanzania during summer 2017.
• Dominique Wood, a Chinese major from Nashville, Tennessee, who studied abroad in China during spring 2017.

Cory Dodds, the coordinator of nationally competitive opportunities in the Office of Scholar Development, works closely with students applying for the Gilman Scholarship. “The Gilman Scholarship makes transformative study abroad experiences possible,” he said. “It has been rewarding working with our applicants and seeing them grow, personally and professionally, as a result of their study abroad experiences.”

The Gilman Scholarship program aims to make study abroad more accessible and inclusive for students with limited financial means. The Gilman Scholarship ensures that Americans of all backgrounds engage internationally, foster mutual understanding and develop skills critical to national security, economic prosperity and students’ futures. 

WKU students who are interested in study abroad are encouraged to work with Dodds in the Office of Scholar Development for assistance with national scholarships like the Gilman to fund study abroad and advisors in the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning to find study abroad programs that best fit their academic and career goals.

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 welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in nationally-competitive scholarships.

About the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning: SAGL serves the WKU community by engaging students, faculty and staff in diverse, educational and cultural experiences through faculty-led, exchange, consortia and other study abroad opportunities.

Contact: Cory Dodds, (270) 745-5043