Eight VCU students awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad

Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu

Richmond, VA (December 19, 2024) — Eight Virginia Commonwealth University students are recipients of the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship during the current award period. The scholarship, which will assist with study abroad opportunities between the spring and fall of 2025, is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

This year’s award recipients were collectively awarded $32,500 with individual grants of up to $6,500. Among the recipients, two students earned supplemental awards, one for critical language study in Korean and another for STEM research in Cyprus, granting them additional scholarship monies.

The scholarship program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

“The Gilman Scholarship increases access to study abroad, which is a critical high-impact learning opportunity for students that builds success, both personally and professionally,” said Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost for global initiatives. “These eight awardees represent academic excellence, and the significance placed on global learning at VCU,” she said.

Stephanie Tignor, director of Global Learning, emphasizes the importance of the Gilman scholarship as it offers a “transformative opportunity for our Pell Grant recipients, who make up a significant portion of VCU's undergraduate student population."

“We are thrilled to celebrate our eight awardees of this nationally competitive scholarship. Their success reflects their commitment to global learning, exceptional potential and the diversity of perspectives they will bring back to enrich our community upon their return,” she said.

The following students have been awarded scholarships to study abroad during the upcoming 2025 academic year:

Tessa Coleman, a junior majoring in communication arts, will study abroad in Italy in the "VCU Summer: Florence Revealed" program.
Raquan Hall, a sophomore majoring in clinical radiation sciences, will study abroad in Germany and France during spring break in the “VCU Spring Break: Germany and France: Discovering the Pioneers of Medical Imaging” program.
Savannah Morris, a junior majoring in political science, who was awarded the Critical Need Language Award (CNLA), will study abroad in South Korea during the fall semester.
Evelyn Gomez, a junior majoring in clinical radiation sciences, will study abroad in Germany and France during spring break in the “VCU Spring Break: Germany and France: Discovering the Pioneers of Medical Imaging” program.
Brandon Hickam, a junior majoring in homeland security and emergency preparedness, will study abroad in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) during the spring semester in the “VCU Exchange: Rabdan Academy” program.
Mahlet Michael, a sophomore majoring in biology, will study abroad in Costa Rica during spring break in the “VCU Spring Break: Costa Rica: Healthcare Shadowing” program.
Hussain Reza, a junior majoring in computer science, has been awarded the STEM supplemental award and will study abroad in Cyprus during the spring semester at the University of Nicosia.
Joi Coleman, a senior majoring in biology, will study abroad in Costa Rica during the summer in the “CIS Abroad Summer in Costa Rica” program.