WKU News

Four WKU students have been offered 2026 Critical Language Scholarships, and two have been designated alternates. The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS), a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Recipients spend eight weeks abroad in intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment designed to promote rapid language gains and cultural proficiency in one of nine critical languages. WKU’s recipients are among approximately 315 undergraduate and graduate students selected nationwide from a pool of more than 4,500 applicants. 

WKU’s recipients for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarships: 

Lilian Branch (upper left), a third-year student in Molecular Biotechnology and Chinese as well as an undergraduate researcher in the Marquardt Lab and member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU, will study Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan. She is the daughter of Gwen and Clint Branch of Chattanooga, Tennessee. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, Lilian plans to pursue a career in biomedical research, using her language skills to collaborate with scientists internationally to address issues of shared concern like antibiotic resistance and emerging infectious diseases. 

Evie Farley (upper right), a third-year student in Chinese with a concentration in Teacher Education as well as a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU and president of the WKU Chinese Culture Club, will study Chinese in Tainan, Taiwan. Evie is the daughter of Don and Cheri Farley of Frankfort, Kentucky. After completing her education at WKU, Evie plans to teach Chinese and English in the United States and abroad.

Elizabeth Mikeworth (not pictured), a third-year student in International Affairs, Chinese, Asian Religions and Cultures, and Legal Studies as well as a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU and PCAL Dean's Council of Students (DCS), will study Japanese in Okayama, Japan. Elizabeth is from Mount Vernon, Kentucky. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, Elizabeth plans to pursue a career as a lawyer, specializing in comparative law and assisting organizations operating across differing legal systems in international contexts.

Priscilla Riggs (lower left), a third-year, first-generation college student in English and Marketing, will study Korean at Gwangju, South Korea. Priscilla is the daughter of Hannah Jenkins of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Post-graduation, Priscilla plans to begin her career in South Korea as an English language instructor before transitioning into bilingual public relations or multicultural marketing, applying her skills to strengthen U.S.–Korea partnerships.

Alternates for the Critical Language Scholarships who will be upgraded if additional places become available in language institutes: 

Atiana Spivey (lower middle), a first generation, second-year college student in Biology, English, and Chinese as well as a member of the Chinese Flagship Program at WKU, has been designated an alternate for Chinese. Atiana is a member of the PCAL Dean's Council of Students (DCS) and Mahurin Honors College (MHC). She is the daughter of Toni Hanks and the granddaughter of Mendy Breaux. After completing her Flagship Capstone Year, Atiana plans to pursue a career developing environmentally sustainable trade relations between the U.S. and East Asia.

Maria Chisholm (lower right), a first-year student and pre-nursing major, has been designated an alternate for Russian. She is the daughter of Adam and Diane Chisholm of Harrodsburg, Kentucky. In the future, Maria seeks to work in an environment as a nurse where she can interact with Russian-speaking patients.

Elizabeth encourages fellow students to apply for the Critical Language Scholarship and other nationally competitive scholarships, and to work closely with the Office of Student Development (OSD) for support throughout the process.

“Whenever I walk into their office facing a block, I feel like I walk out "enlightened", not just on writing ideas, but about who I am and what I care about … I'll always emphasize OSD to everyone applying for nationally competitive scholarships at WKU!”

Applications for Summer 2027 Critical Language Scholarships open in September 2026, and the deadline is typically in mid-November. Students interested in intensive language study in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, or Swahili, should contact osd@wku.edu for more information. 

About the Office of Scholar Development: 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.

Contact: Anna Mayo, anna.mayo@wku.edu