WKU News
11 WKU Students Awarded Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad
- Monday, February 2nd, 2026
(Top row, L to R: Morgan Hicks, Caleigh Lundy, Sianne Rivas. Middle: Charlotte Miller, Amarah Pryor-Wells, Sianne Rivas. Bottom: Kwan Sang, Joselyne Trammell)
11 WKU students earned the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the October 2025 application cycle. The Gilman Scholarship funds study and internships abroad for American undergraduate students with high financial need.
The Gilman Program received a record 7700 applications for the fall cycle and awarded 1550 scholarships to American undergraduate students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to study and intern abroad this upcoming year. No other Kentucky postsecondary institution produced more than 2 awards; all other institutions in Kentucky combined produced 12.
The 11 WKU recipients in this application cycle earned scholarships totaling $43,500. While the median award offered was $3000, two recipients earned supplemental Critical Need Language and STEM Supplemental Awards for language-focused study and STEM coursework, respectively, that raises the potential for funding from $5000 to $8000 for eligible programs.
WKU students recognized in this Gilman Scholarship application cycle include the following:
Jesse Ferguson, whose parents are Shannon and Carrie Ferguson of Lawrenceburg. Jesse is a Chinese and History double major with minors in Asian Studies and Religious Studies and plans to study in Taiwan.
Morgan Hicks of Clarksville, TN is the daughter of Charlotte and Matthew Hicks. A first-generation college student, she is a Nursing major. She earned the scholarship to study in London and Amsterdam.
Caleigh Lundy of Bowling Green is the daughter of Hobbie and Chelsie Lundy. A first-generation college student, she is a Psychological Science and Philosophy double major with a minor in neuroscience. She earned the scholarship to study in England.
Su Meh of Thailand is the daughter of Seh Meh and Nga Reh. A first-generation college student, she is a Nursing major. She earned the scholarship to intern in Thailand.
Charlotte Miller of Memphis, TN is a Dance and Advertising double major with a minor in Arts Administration. She earned the scholarship to study in Italy.
Amarah Pryor-Wells of Madison, AL is the daughter of Latasha Pryor. She is a Film and Advertising double major. She earned the scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
Sianne Rivas of Shepherdsville is the daughter of Marcia Ramos and Joan Rivas. A first-generation college student, she is an Agriculture and Food Science major. She earned the scholarship to study in South Africa.
Kwan Sang of Bowling Green is the daughter of All Say Ya and Di Htong. A first-generation college student, she is a Healthcare Administration major and Finance minor. She earned the scholarship to intern in Thailand.
Joselyne Trammell of Somerset is the daughter of Wesley Trammell. A first-generation college student, she is a Health Care Administration major with a minor in Psychological Science. She earned the scholarship to study in Tanzania.
Some awardees declined to publish their information.
In application essays, students connect their program plans with their academic and career goals and motivations, and in the process, gain valuable perspective on their abilities and values. For one Gilman Scholar this cycle, “This application process has helped me recognize so much about my accomplishments.” For another, “This application reminded me how grateful I am for the mentors and institutional support that have encouraged me to pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone so I can grow into the kind of nurse I hope to become.” Regardless of outcome, this benefit is available to all applicants.
Working with advisors in the Office of Scholar Development dramatically increases the likelihood of being selected; while the national selection rate in this cycle was 20%, more than half of the WKU awardees are applicants who went through at least one revision with OSD advisors. Additionally, they sought advising with the WKU Office of Study Abroad and Global to choose a program aligned with their goals.
Gilman scholarships are accepted twice per year, with deadlines in early October and early March. Students interested in studying or interning abroad during the following terms should apply by the March 5, 2026 deadline:
- Summer 2026
- Fall 2026
- Academic Year 2026-27
- Winter 2026
- Spring 2027
Interested students are encouraged to contact the Office of Scholar Development at WKU (osd@wku.edu) as soon as they have connected with WKU Global for program advising.
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 44,000 Americans to study in countries around the world.
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: Melinda Grimsley melinda.grimsley@wku.edu
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