A record 28 Hunter College students were named as Benjamin A. Gilman Scholars this academic year, smashing last year’s high of 17.
The prestigious scholarships, which are awarded twice annually by the U.S. Department of State’s Institute of International Education, enable Pell Grant-eligible U.S. citizen undergraduates to pursue academic studies or career-oriented internships in foreign countries. Gilman Scholars receive as much as $5,000 (or as much as $8,000 if they plan to study a “critical need” foreign language) for their study abroad or internship program costs.
“We are proud and thrilled that our undergraduates are breaking records in earning this highly competitive award,” said Stephen Lassonde, director of the Newman Office of Prestigious Scholarships & Fellowships.
Eighteen undergraduates were named Gilman scholars in the fall cycle of awards and 10 during the spring. The 10 new awardees are: Ayesha Ahmad ’25, Wainell Brown ’25, Balsamine Chen ’25, James Chen ’25, Camila Anjolie Gallegos ’27, Sanaa Ariana Harry ’26, Marielis Analys Martinez ’25, Homayra Nabilah ’25, Haasil Pujara ’26, and Daisy Mildred Palaguachi ’24.
Lassonde attributed the bump to the efforts of his colleague Emma Heineman, who began coordinating the program this year.
The scholarships honor the late upstate Congress Member Benjamin A. Gilman (R-Middletown), who served for 30 years and headed the House Foreign Relations Committee from 1995-2002. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.
Hunter’s Office of Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships has a stellar record of accomplishment in preparing students for competitive scholarships and fellowships. In recent years, the college has produced two Rhodes, two Marshall, six Schwarzman, five Luce, seven Goldwater, and 39 Fulbright Scholars among many other prestigious awardees.
