WKU News

(First row, L to R: Lacy Hardin, Martha Onda, Koe Reh. Second row, L to R: Sian Pau, Brianna Bennish, Anne Liberal. Third row, L to R: Malick Ibrahim, Clinton Richardson, Marcus Lum)

10 WKU students earned the US Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the March 2026 application cycle. The Gilman Scholarship funds study and internships abroad for American undergraduate students with high financial need.

The Gilman Program received a record 12,200 applications for the spring cycle and awarded 2100 to American students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands in spring 2026 to study and intern abroad between May 2026 and May 2027. 72% of all Gilman Scholars come from small towns and rural communities, and 49% of all Gilman scholars are first-generation college students. No other Kentucky postsecondary institution produced more than 3 awards; all other institutions in Kentucky combined produced 13.

The 10 WKU recipients in this application cycle earned scholarships totaling $35,500 with an average award amount of $3,550. Two recipients earned supplemental funding through Critical Need Language and STEM Supplemental Awards for language-focused study and STEM coursework, respectively, that raises the potential for funding from $5,000 to $8,000 for eligible programs.

90% of the recipients worked with the Office of Scholar Development on their application. The national selection rate was 17% in this cycle.

WKU students recognized in this Gilman Scholarship application cycle include the following:

Brianna Bennish of Eubank, KY is the daughter of Amanda Bennish. She is a first-generation college student at the WKU Somerset campus, and is pursuing a major in Criminology and a minor in Behavioral Health. She is studying abroad in Poland in summer 2026.

Lacy Hardin of Bowling Green, KY is an English Literature and History major with a minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. She will be studying abroad in the UK in summer 2026.

Malick Ibrahim of Bowling Green, KY is the son of Mariama Abdouramane and Ibrahim Salifou. He is a first-generation college student majoring in Electrical Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics. He will be studying Chinese in Taiwan and doing an internship with the Taiwan Semiconductors Manufacturing Company in summer 2026.

Anne Liberal of Louisville, KY is a Marketing major with certificates in Applied Data Analytics and UX Art and Design. She will be studying abroad in Sydney, Australia in winter term 2027.

Marcus Lum of Hong Kong, S.A.R. is a first-generation college student and is a part of the Chinese Flagship program with a Criminology minor. He will be studying Chinese in Taiwan and doing an internship with the Taiwan Semiconductors Manufacturing Company in summer 2026.

Martha Onda of Tanzania and Bowling Green, KY is the daughter of Onda Omari and Fatuma Wakwendja. She is a first-generation college student, and is a Health Information Management major with certificates in Health Informatics and Applied Data Analytics. She will be studying abroad in South Korea and Japan in summer 2026.

Sian Pau of Bowling Green, KY is a first-generation college student and a Computer Information Technology major with a minor in Business Administration. He will be studying abroad in Korea in summer 2026.

Koe Reh of Bowling Green, KY is a first-generation college student and a double-major in Finance and Applied Data Analytics. Koe will be studying abroad in South Korea in summer 2026.

Clinton Richardson of Brandenburg, KY is the son of Pam and Gene Riggs. He is a Political Science major and English minor and earned the award for study abroad to Greece in summer 2026.

An awardee declined to publish their information.

The application essays give students a chance to show how the programs they are going on will help them achieve their academic and career goals, and help them grow as people and scholars. Through the writing process, students are able to see a clearer picture of what their goals and motivations are, as well as their abilities and values. Even applicants who are chosen are presented the opportunity to learn more about themselves and what is important to them through the application process. One scholar noted, “Applying for the Gilman Scholarship forced me to sit down and figure out exactly how my time abroad connects to my long-term goals…this taught me that I’m capable of developing a professional vision for myself that goes far beyond just getting a degree.” Another reflected that, “The application process pushed me to be more intentional about my goals and the opportunities I pursue. It made me take a step back and really think about why studying abroad matters to me and how it connects to my future…I also learned that I am capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for.”

In each cycle, working with an advisor in the Office of Scholar Development has proven to greatly increase the likelihood of being selected as a Gilman Scholar. 90% of WKU awardees in this cycle are applicants who got feedback on at least one essay draft with OSD advisors. They also sought the advising expertise with advisors at the WKU Office of Study Abroad and Global to choose a study abroad program. 

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 should apply by the October 1, 2026 deadline: 

• Winter/January term 2027
• Spring 2027
• Summer 2027
• Fall 2027
• Academic year 2027-2028

Interested students are encouraged to connect with the Office of Scholar Development at WKU (osd@wku.edu) after connecting 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 over 44,000 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: Lindy Watkins, lindy.watkins@wku.edu