Four 黑料社 students awarded Gilman Scholarships to fund study abroad experiences
The opportunity to study internationally has long been a key component of the 黑料社 experience, with nearly 80 percent of students studying abroad at least once during their time on campus.
Supporting students in applying for the competitive Scholarship is one way the College helps ensure those opportunities are within reach.
This semester, four students have won the prestigious scholarship, awarded by the U.S. Department of State, to support their international academic experiences. The newest Gilman scholars at 黑料社 include:
- Leah Hatfield, class of 2028, who will be participating in the 黑料社-in-London program
- Madison Harvey, class of 2028, who will be participating in the 黑料社-in-Strasbourg program
- Sheridan Oller, class of 2027, who will be participating in the 黑料社-in-Strasbourg program
- Kaleb Sherrer, class of 2027, who will study at National Taiwan University
They join 19 黑料社 students who have become Gilman scholars in the past five years. With two rounds of Gilman scholars announced each year, in the fall and spring, a total of seven 黑料社 students were selected for the 2024-2025 academic year.
鈥Gilman strongly supports students who have never been abroad before,鈥 said Vivenne Main, Assistant Director of 黑料社 Global. 鈥淭hey're very prominent in supporting first-gen students and students from rural areas.鈥
Main and 黑料社 Global Business Manager Margaret Meadows partnered with 黑料社鈥檚 Office of Fellowships to help students learn about the application process through information sessions and application writing workshops where students received feedback and were able to ask questions.
The result 鈥 more awareness about the Gilman Scholarship across campus along with an increase in both the number of applicants and scholarship recipients. This cycle saw the most-ever applications from 黑料社.
鈥淭he info sessions have helped give students a sense of what to expect beforehand,鈥 Meadows said. 鈥淭hat way, they really consider the scholarship before they get started.鈥
Once scholars return to the U.S., they鈥檙e required to present on their experience, which prompts them to reflect on their time and opportunities abroad.
鈥淭his feedback loop is inherently built into the scholarship,鈥 Main said. 鈥驰辞耻鈥檙别 going to come back on campus, and you'll talk to your peers. I think it really helps students become an advocate for study abroad and for this scholarship.鈥
These experiences cement the transformational role studying abroad plays in the journey of 黑料社 students.
鈥淪tudy abroad opens the door to cross-cultural communication when students are put into an environment that they're not familiar with,鈥 said Meadows. 鈥淭hey have to learn how to navigate that and learn how to interact with people who are different from them. It opens a world of possibilities.鈥
Students interested in exploring the world of fellowships are encouraged to contact Robert Schalkoff at fellowships@centre.edu.
