Three VCU students awarded Benjamin A. Gilman scholarships
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (January 6, 2023) — Three VCU students have been awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad during the winter and spring 2023 semesters. Joud Al Kallas, Donté Jackson and Nathan Rowan, all STEM majors, are recipients of the scholarship among 1,500 U.S. undergraduate students awarded across the country.
Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs. VCU Global Learning's Education Abroad team and VCU's National Scholarship Office work with students to develop competitive applications. This semester, a workshop will be held to provide information about how to apply for the Gilman scholarship on February 8, 1 -2:30 p.m. in the SGA Senate Chambers. Interested students can find more information about Gilman scholarship assistance available to them during the application process.
Recipients of this prestigious scholarship are American undergraduate students attending 452 U.S. colleges and represent 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These Gilman Scholars will study or intern in more than 80 countries through October 2023. The Gilman Program is intended to expand the diversity of the student population studying and interning abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The program aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries or areas and world regions.
Below are the VCU Gilman Scholars recently awarded:
Joud Al Kallas is a senior from Vienna, VA, majoring in chemistry. Al Kallas has been awarded $4,000 to participate in the Liberal Arts and French Studies program in Paris, France during the spring 2023 semester. The program is through CEA at the Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne.
"I am super grateful to have won this scholarship. While the application was a lot of work it was definitely worth it because now with the extra funds, I’ll be able to accomplish more goals while abroad without having to worry about finances," said Al Kallas.
Donté Jackson is a senior from Goochland, VA, majoring in environmental science. Jackson has been awarded $3,000 to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, during winter 2023. Jackson is participating in a program led by George Mason University, Conservation Storytelling, where he will learn film and photography skills and how to use them to positively impact conservation efforts.
"Being a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship means a great deal to me, honestly. I'm a transfer student in my senior year, and I've been responsible for my educational finances since starting college. "I never considered studying abroad until I was made aware of the Gilman Scholarship," said Jackson.
"I didn't believe I could afford to study abroad, and throughout the whole process of getting into my program, I still questioned if I could truly afford it. All the support I've received from friends and family, the Center for Environmental Studies, the VCU Global Education Office, and now as a Gilman Scholar, has proved to be important. My trip is right around the corner, and I'm excited. I cannot wait to share my experience with all my supporters," he said.
Nathan Rowan is a junior from Richmond, VA, majoring in computer engineering. Rowan received $4000 to participate in the USAC University of College Cork program in Cork, Ireland during the spring 2023 semester.
"Receiving the Gilman scholarship means a lot to me. To me, it signifies years of hard work paying off, and an opportunity to reconnect with my background abroad. I'm very grateful for their gift and will use my time in Ireland to its fullest," said Rowan.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The scholarship program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Institute of International Education.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 36,000 Gilman Scholars from all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories have studied or interned in more than 155 countries around the globe. The program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study.