Gallaudet University students earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships at an historic rate this year, with thirteen students selected for funding to study abroad in Ghana, France, and Italy this summer.
Students submitted 33 Gilman applications, the highest number in Gallaudet’s history, and the acceptance rate was more than double the national average. This was during the most competitive Gilman cycle to date, with only about 17% of applicants selected nationwide.
The Gilman Scholarship supports undergraduate students with financial need in studying or interning abroad while preparing them for careers requiring global experience, cross-cultural communication, and public engagement. Applications are reviewed by independent panels of reviewers from across the United States. Gilman Scholars are also required to complete a follow-on service project after returning, typically involving community outreach or education about international exchange, connecting their global experiences back to their home communities.
Global explorations start with support at home
The record application numbers reflect a sustained, university-wide investment in student access to international fellowships. Fiona Grugan, Manager of Education Abroad and International Fellowships, guided students through the process from initial inquiry to final submission, led 12 workshops and recruitment events throughout the year, and conducted individual advising appointments and classroom visits.
A team of graduate assistants and student employees supported that work, including Jeffrey Levitt ‘25, Maria Serra-Pereda ‘25, Jacqueline Gonzalez ‘25, Chad Bishop, and Mika Mitchem, who worked with applicants across every stage of the advising and application process. Professional editor Todd Byrd, whose support was funded by the division of Academic and Career Success, provided extensive editorial support across a high volume of applications during the scholarship cycle.
Notably, Mitchem contributed to the advising and application process as a student employee while also earning a Gilman Scholarship herself, a testament to the kind of engaged, community-driven effort that defined this year’s cohort.
“This is what happens when students get real support from start to finish,” Grugan said. “It takes a genuine team effort, from the graduate assistants and student employees who show up for every workshop and every draft, to the students themselves who do the hard work of putting their stories on paper. We wanted to make sure students had every resource they needed, from program design through the scholarship application. Seeing thirteen students earn Gilman funding to participate is the whole point.”
Congratulations to the 2026 Gilman recipients:
- Joshua Victor Cypert, Italy (Gilman-McCain Scholar)
- Edlanda Hortence Delorme, Ghana
- David Figueroa, Italy
- Youstina Garas, Ghana
- Jovan Jerell Henderson, Ghana
- Stephanie Jean Herring, ‘26, Ghana
- Denis Ivanov, France
- Christian Anakin Jimenez, Italy
- Mika Anna Mitchem, Ghana
- Anya Sukhovtsev, France
- Azeb Visco, ‘25, Ghana
- Enza Visco, ‘26, Ghana
- Ajani Rashid Zahira, Ghana
Pictured at top (L-R): Youstina Garas, Stephanie Jean Herring, Joshua Cypert, Christian Jimenez, David Figuroa, and Ajani Zahira
Where in the world do you want to go? Education Abroad and International Fellowships is ready to support your next journey.
