Global Education Office

Six 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 (January 6, 2026) — Six Virginia Commonwealth University students are recipients of the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The scholarship, which will assist with study abroad opportunities between the spring and fall of 2026 and during winter break, is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

This year’s award recipients were collectively awarded more than $17,000, including an additional individual grant of $4,000 awarded to a STEM award recipient who will study abroad in Germany, 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.

Stephanie Tignor, executive director of global learning, expresses how the scholarships benefit the students, allowing them to gain positive global experiences.

“Our students' success reflects their hard work and dedication to pursuing study abroad, as well as the support of the global learning advisors who walk alongside them through the process,” she said. “We are thrilled to see more Rams awarded Gilman Scholarships and using these experiences to build meaningful global skills that will benefit them as students, as citizens and as future professionals.”

The following students have been awarded Gilman Scholarships for 2026.

Faith Maeba, a senior majoring in psychology, will study abroad during winter break 2026 in the Global Leadership in Doha, Qatar, program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marika Samuel, a sophomore majoring in clinical radiation sciences, will study abroad during spring break 2026 in the Germany and France: Discovering the Pioneers of Medical Imaging program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bocar Thiam, a freshman majoring in business foundations, will study abroad in France during winter break 2026 in the American Business School in Paris program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mikka Robinos, a junior majoring in computer science and pre-dental hygiene, will study abroad during spring break of 2026 in the Germany and France: Discovering the Pioneers of Medical Imaging program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grayson Jacey, a senior majoring in chemical and life science engineering, will study in Germany during the summer of 2026 as an intern in the University of Bonn Internship program. Jacey is a STEM award recipient as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jada Ann-Pearl Jackson, a sophomore majoring in clinical radiation sciences, will study abroad during spring break 2026 in the Germany and France: Discovering the Pioneers of Medical Imaging program.