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19 WKU Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships for Study Abroad
- Monday, March 10th, 2025
(top row, L to R: Zoe Avery, Jacoby Brison, Cing Dim, Peyton Dover, Lily Haines. Second row: Lexi Holcomb, Kyle Mallernee, Neh Meh, Pratiksha Mishra, Caraline New. Third row: Htwar Reh, Au Reh, Cin Sang, Natalie Spiva, and Sheila Vo.)
19 WKU students earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the October 2024 application cycle, more than any other college or university in Kentucky.
The Gilman Scholarship broadens the student population that studies or interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The 19 recipients in this application cycle earned scholarships totaling $67,000 with an average award amount of $3,500.
Of those who worked with the Office of Scholar Development, 39% of WKU applicants were named recipients. This average national selection rate for the Gilman Scholarship is approximately 25%.
WKU students recognized in the Fall 2024 Gilman Scholarship competition include the following:
Zoe Avery of Bowling Green is a Health Sciences major and is pursuing a certificate in Spanish. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Tanzania in Summer 2025.
Jacoby Brison of Hopkinsville is a first-generation college student pursuing a Music major. He earned the scholarship to study abroad in Austria in Summer 2025.
Cing Dim of Bowling Green is the daughter of Lang Lian and Cing Nuam. A first-generation college student, she is a Computer Science major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Taiwan in Summer 2025.
Peyton Dover of Hebron is the daughter of Christi and Gary Goodman. She is a Psychology and Criminology double major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Italy in Summer 2025.
Lily Haines of Baldwinsville, New York is the daughter of Jamie and Cynthia Haines. She is an English major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Japan in Winter 2025.
Lexi Holcomb of Bowling Green is the daughter of Rindi McGregor and Cedric Gumm. She is a Child and Family Services major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Coast Rica in summer 2025.
Kyle Mallernee of Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the son of Graham and Cathy Mallernee. A first-generation college student, he is a Computer Information Technology major. He earned the scholarship to study abroad in Japan for a year beginning Fall 2025.
Neh Meh of Bowling Green is the daughter of Beh Reh and Po Meh. A first-generation college student, she is a nursing major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in South Korea in Summer 2025.
Pratiksha Mishra of Bowling Green is the daughter of Raju and Archana Mishra. She is a Biochemistry major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in South Korea in Summer 2025.
Caraline New of Elizabethtown is the daughter of Brandy and Colby New. She is a Biology and Chemistry major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Ireland in Spring 2025.
Htwar Reh of Bowling Green is the son of Seh Reh and Lu Meh. A first-generation college student, he is a Computer Science major. He earned the scholarship to study abroad in South Korea in Summer 2025.
Au Reh of Bowling Green is the son of Bu Reh. A first-generation college student, he studies Computer Science and plans to intern in South Korea in Summer 2025.
Cin Sang of Bowling Green is the son of Hau Pau and Cing Vung. A first-generation college student, he is a Computer Science major. He earned the scholarship to study abroad in South Korea in Summer 2025.
Natalie Spiva of Memphis, Tennessee is the daughter of Karen and Ben Spiva. She is a Psychological Sciences major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Spain in Summer 2025.
Sheila Vo of Bowling Green is the daughter of Nghia Vo. A first-generation college student, she is a Communication Disorders major. She earned the scholarship to study abroad in Argentina in Summer 2025
All of the students recognized worked with Lindsey Houchin, Jackson Hite, and Bradley Smith in the Office of Scholar Development at WKU to prepare their Gilman applications and with advisors in the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning to find the best study abroad program to fit their goals.
Gilman Scholarship applications are accepted twice per year, with deadlines in early October and early March. Students interested in studying or interning abroad during these terms may apply by next October:
- Winter 2025
- Spring 2026
- Summer 2026
- Fall 2026
Interested students are encouraged to connect with the Office of Scholar Development at WKU and the Office of Study Abroad and Global Learning throughout the winter and early spring semester.
About The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship: Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship program supports internships or study abroad programs for undergraduate Pell Grant recipients. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has enabled more than 41,000 Americans to study in countries around the world, representing diverse backgrounds including ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students.
About the Office of Scholar Development (OSD): OSD mentors students applying for national scholarships to fund “academic extras” such as study abroad, research, professional experience, and more. From first drafts to final submissions with multiple revisions in between, OSD helps students make more possible. By conceptualizing and revising the stories they tell in application essays, students better understand their strengths, interests, and purpose—and explore multiple possible pathways to that work.
About WKU Global: WKU Global serves the WKU community by engaging students, faculty and staff in diverse, educational and cultural experiences through faculty-led, exchange, consortia and other study abroad opportunities.
Contact: Lindsey Houchin at lindsey.houchin@wku.edu or Bradley Smith at bradley.smith@wku.edu.
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