Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: 2019 Diversity Abroad Annual Conference

  • 03/20/19

WASHINGTON, DC – For the second year, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has announced its “Top Producing” institutions at the Diversity Abroad Annual Conference. Top producing institutions are highlighted for their success in sending the most first-generation college students, racial or ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and students studying in STEM fields to study abroad. Institutions that sent the most Gilman Scholars to the largest number of different overseas destinations also receive recognition for their role in broadening geographical diversity.

Ahead of the official announcement of 2019 Top Producers, three of last year’s winners presented their successful strategies to promote inclusive study abroad opportunities. The panel was moderated by Theresa Gagnon, program officer for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The panelists, Danielle Edmonson (Global Living and Learning programs manager, Georgetown University), Tom Hospod (study abroad advisor, University of Rhode Island), and Michelle Ayazi (study abroad advisor, University of California, Berkeley) discussed techniques to reach their own diverse populations to promote study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship, engage alumni in promoting the Gilman Scholarship, and strategies to maximize limited resources to meet institutional goals. The panelists also shared best-practices and examples on ways institutions can increase their overall numbers and reach specific populations including racially and ethnically diverse students, students with disabilities, STEM students, and/or first-generation college students.

On March 5th, Ambassador Jennifer Galt, principal deputy assistant secretary of ECA, announced this year’s Gilman Top Producing and Greatest Growth institutions. Topping this year’s list of four-year institutions sending the highest number of Gilman Scholars abroad are Berea College (KY); Emory University (GA); and University of California, Berkeley (CA). Portland Community College (OR) topped the list of associate’s colleges. Grand Valley State University (MI) took the top spot in sending the most veterans on a Gilman Scholarship, a spotlight this year.

Click here for a full list of the institutions by category, including designations for the Greatest Growth in Gilman recipients over the last year.

Featured

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Wisconsin District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The School District of La Crosse in La Crosse, Wis., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff of two existing schools, according to local news. Funding for the school comes from a $53-million referendum approved in 2024.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Acquires VPS Architecture

    Full-service planning, architecture, and engineering firm Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has acquired VPS Architecture, according to a news release. The move will help strengthen Wold’s education and public-sector design expertise, industries in which both companies have strong pre-existing ties and relationships.