UW Students Receive Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad

Six University of Wyoming students were awarded scholarships by the U.S. Department of State to study abroad this summer and in the upcoming fall 2023 semester.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has awarded 2,100 American undergraduate students the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. On average, 70 percent of Gilman recipients self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities, 60 percent are from rural America, and half are first-generation college or university students. The Gilman Scholarship contributes to the department’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts to engage all of U.S. society in foreign policy.

Shelley Jewell, director of UW Education Abroad, serves as one of 20 Gilman Adviser Ambassadors across the country. She and Dianne Thompson, UW Education Abroad adviser, serve as Gilman selection panelists.

“The Gilman Scholarship Program provides the opportunity for students to fund their studies overseas as part of our esteemed faculty-led programs abroad, semester-long exchanges or even independent internships and research abroad,” Thompson says. “We encourage all Pell-eligible students at UW to explore our study-abroad options and apply for the Gilman Scholarship.”

All UW Gilman Scholarship recipients are supported by the UW Global Engagement Office and the Education Abroad Office.

UW recipients, listed by hometown, are:

Cheyenne -- Alexa Mejia is a junior majoring in molecular biology. She will complete a health and medical internship in Ecuador this summer through Kaya Responsible Travel.

Cheyenne -- Matthew Stacey is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Japanese and honors. He will complete the UW faculty-led program “Modern Japanese Society and Culture” this summer, led by UW faculty member Noah Miles, of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.

Frederickstown, Ohio -- David Van Slyke is a senior majoring in music education and minoring in computer engineering and honors. He will complete the program “CIEL Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland Conflict and Peace Process” this summer, led by UW faculty member Nevin Aiken, from the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies.

Laramie -- Francisca Akambasi is a senior majoring in social work. She will complete an internship in India this summer, working with the Kalpaka Charitable Trust in Bangalore.

Powell -- Aaron Swaney II is a junior majoring in political science. He will complete the program “CIEL Middle East: The Israel-Palestinian Conflict and Peace Process” this summer, led by UW faculty member Eric Nigh, director of the Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies Program.

Thermopolis -- Cara Cundall-Binder is a senior majoring in agricultural business. She will complete a study-abroad program this year, focusing on her ag studies.