Awarded by the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship aims to equip young Americans with the professional skills, language proficiency
and global experience needed for successful careers by supporting Pell Grant recipients
who study or intern abroad.
Over the past half decade, the 最新天美传媒 has consistently ranked
No. 1 in Florida for producing Gilman Scholars, but the fall 2025 application cycle
marked a new milestone. Twenty USF students were selected as Gilman Scholars 鈥� the
largest cohort of fall recipients in the university鈥檚 history. In total, USF鈥檚 newest
Gilman Scholars will receive $57,500 to support study abroad programs around the world,
traveling to 12 countries, including the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Portugal,
France, Panama, Costa Rica, Canada, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Germany and the United
Kingdom.
Rich Programs for Professional Growth
USF College of Arts and Sciences student Maya Awad will be the first of the fall 2025
Gilman Scholars to travel abroad. She will participate in the Judy Genshaft Honors
College鈥檚 Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom program in mid-December, a long-running
initiative focused on exploring the connections between health and culture. Students
in the program support the Kerolle Initiative for Community Health through efforts such as volunteering in mobile medical clinics in underserved areas
and leading wellness education programs.
The opportunity to work directly with patients inspired Awad to take the leap and
travel abroad.
鈥淚 am so excited to experience the Dominican Republic鈥檚 health care system firsthand
and gain new perspectives, learn lessons, and gain a deeper understanding of global
medicine,鈥� Awad said.
The Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom program exemplifies the type of immersive
study abroad experience the Gilman Scholarship supports 鈥� programs that prepare students
for their future through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.
Pursuing Excellence in STEM
This cohort of Gilman Scholars also includes the first USF recipient of the , an additional $1,000 that can be added to a student鈥檚 scholarship when participating
in STEM coursework or research abroad. A total of $6,000 was awarded to Rebecca Detweiler,
also a member of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Judy Genshaft Honors College,
who will spend the spring 2026 semester at the University of Exeter in the United
Kingdom.
On being selected, Detweiler said, 鈥淚 am beyond excited to study in England as a Gilman
Scholar and immerse myself in a community that celebrates both scientific innovation
and cultural exchange.鈥�
Detweiler plans to take courses such as Ecology of Infectious Diseases and Introductory
Bioinformatics alongside her Honors coursework in Exeter. In her Gilman application,
she highlighted the United Kingdom as a hub for biomedical research. The University
of Exeter is home to multiple health research groups, including the Wellcome Centre
for Cultures and Environments of Health, providing opportunities for her to pursue
her interest in human-centered health care.
鈥淚 intend to return from this study abroad program with a broader worldview, stronger
technical abilities, and a deeper appreciation for the global nature of science,鈥�
Detweiler said. 鈥淭his experience will inspire me to continue to collaborate across
cultures and pursue a career that combines discovery with meaningful human impact.鈥�
Paying It Forward
As part of the Gilman Scholarship application, students must propose how they will
share what they learn with their home communities through a 鈥渇ollow-on project.鈥� These
projects are designed to reach a specific audience and increase awareness of international
education opportunities and the Gilman Program, allowing recipients to extend the
impact of their experiences by mentoring and encouraging future study abroad participants.
The increase in Gilman awards also coincides with the largest number of Gilman Scholarship
applicants USF has seen in a fall cycle, reflecting the ambition and momentum of the
fall 2025 class. According to the Judy Genshaft Honors College, this cohort is the
most competitive and academically accomplished in the college鈥檚 history. The Office
of National Scholarships also reported record attendance and participation at award
workshops and seminars throughout the fall semester, underscoring students鈥� readiness
to pursue high-impact global opportunities.
鈥淭his record-breaking group of Gilman Scholars reflects the drive, curiosity and global
mindset of our students,鈥� said Charles Adams, Judy Genshaft Endowed Honors Dean. 鈥淭heir
success is also a testament to the outstanding work of the Office of National Scholars,
whose mentorship continue to empower students to pursue ambitious opportunities and
represent USF around the world.鈥�
Students interested in the Gilman Scholarship should visit the ONS website.