Chinese Flagship News

WKU has been recognized as an all-time Top Producing Institution in the Gilman Scholarship Program. In the 25-year history of the program, WKU is a national leader, ranking among the top 25 in the Medium Colleges and Universities category.

The nationally competitive Gilman International Scholarship is congressionally funded and named after the late congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY). It is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs designed to increase the number of American undergraduates studying abroad by awarding scholarships for credit-bearing study and intern abroad opportunities to students with high financial need. Since its inception in 2001, more than 50,000 students nationwide have received Gilman Scholarships of up to $5000 for study and intern abroad opportunities.  

“The Gilman Scholarship has been a cornerstone of the Office of Scholar Development’s work coaching students through nationally competitive scholarship applications since our founding in 2008,” said Dr. Melinda Grimsley, Assistant Director of the office. “It has certainly made the biggest impact on the largest number of WKU students applying for nationally competitive awards.” 

In OSD’s 18-year history, WKU students have submitted 835 Gilman applications with the mentorship of OSD advisors. To date, Hilltoppers have earned 396 scholarships totaling $1,530,250 in value to study or intern in 43 different countries. The median award amount is $4000, which makes a significant difference in students’ ability to pursue international study and internships. 

“For hundreds of Hilltoppers, Gilman has enabled students from rural and urban Kentucky and Tennessee to participate in WKU Global’s study abroad opportunities,” said John Sunnygard, Associate Provost of Global Learning & International Affairs. “Many have worked with us as Global Learning Ambassadors to share their enthusiasm for living and learning abroad.” 

For many Gilman Scholars, study abroad is a critical component of their academic and career goals. “The impact of the Gilman Scholarship on our Chinese Program is truly far-reaching and paramount,” said Dr. Ke Peng, Professor of Chinese and Director of the Chinese Flagship Program. “Over the past fifteen years, I have witnessed—year after year—how Gilman support has transformed the lives of our students. Many of them come from small towns, and for several, their first-ever flight was the one that carried them across the Pacific to study abroad. These experiences not only accelerated their linguistic proficiency and deepened their cultural competencies but also catalyzed profound personal and professional growth.” 

“The success of our Gilman applicants serves as a testimony to the Office of Scholar Development's successful one-on-one mentoring process,” said Dr. Lindy Davidson, the Director of the Mahurin Honors College, where OSD is administratively housed. “WKU students applying for Gilman and other nationally competitive awards are winning at incredibly high rates, proving the talent pool is deep in the WKU community, and students receive the support they need to be successful.” 

About the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship: Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship supports internships or study abroad programs for undergraduate Pell Grant recipients. Since 2001, the Gilman Scholarship has enabled more than 50,000 Americans to study in countries around the world. 

About the Office of Scholar Development (OSD): OSD mentors students applying for nationally competitive 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, consoria, and other study abroad opportunities. 

About the Chinese Flagship Program: The Language Flagship is a Department of War initiative designed to graduate a new generation of Global Professionals who possess professional-level proficiency in languages vital to U.S. national security. 

Contact: Melinda Grimsley