Global Education Office

Three VCU students awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad ‘26-27

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

Richmond, VA (June 2, 2026) — Three 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 during the summer, fall and 2026-27 school year, is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

This year’s award recipients were collectively awarded $15,500 with individual grants of up to $8,000. Among the recipients, one student earned a supplemental Critical Need Language Award to study Korean for the full academic year, granting 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 three recipients are strong examples of students seeking to strengthen their career goals by increasing their cultural agility. “At a time when the Gilman Scholarship is seeing record‑breaking numbers of applicants nationwide, these three VCU students have truly distinguished themselves,” said Stephanie Tignor, executive director of global learning. “Their selection in such a competitive round demonstrates how clearly they connected their study abroad plans to their long‑term professional goals and the global competencies they are building for their futures,” she said.

“With two recipients bound for South Korea and one for Italy (our most popular destination) they are part of a growing population of Rams shaping their future careers through meaningful international and intercultural experiences.”

The following students have been awarded scholarships to study abroad during the upcoming 2026 academic year:

 

Angella Adwoa-Penyin Akoto, a sophomore majoring in fashion design, will study in Italy at Accademia Italiana during the summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunwoo Kim, a senior majoring in chemistry and also the winner of a Critical Need Language Award, will study in South Korea at Yonsei University for the academic year.

 

Megan Namkhai, a sophomore majoring in chemical and life science engineering, will study in South Korea at Sogang University in the fall.