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.

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