Seven selected for Gilman Scholarships
Article By: Clark Leonard
Seven University of North Georgia (UNG) students were selected this spring for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Paired with the recipients announced in December, this gives UNG 19 awardees for the 2021-22 cycle.
Providing up to $8,000, the nationally competitive scholarship enables Pell grant eligible U.S. undergraduate students to study or intern abroad and gain skills critical to national security and economic competitiveness.
"The Gilman Scholarship will help provide each student with a life-changing experience studying or interning abroad, and we are excited for each student who has been selected," Dr. Kathryn Quinto, fellowships advisor for the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) office, said. "We are also grateful for the opportunity to continue our collaboration with the Center for Global Engagement as we all work to support UNG students' success."
Vianca Murillo, a junior from Ellijay, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, will study in Spain. She is the first UNG student to win a Gilman Scholarship while enrolled on the Blue Ridge Campus.
This funding is making it a reality for me to study abroad. I want to gain a global perspective and be able to work well with international companies.
Melena Appling
UNG junior pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations
"My career goal is to go back to Spain and teach English," Murillo said. "This scholarship allows me to start building connections and working toward the career I want."
Melena Appling, a junior from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations, and Justin Wlosko, a sophomore from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs, applied for the second time after being denied in the fall.
They both pointed to the support of the NCS office and determination as reasons for their success.
"Get another pair of eyes on your essay," Wlosko, who will study in South Korea, said. "It does wonders for proofreading and getting another perspective."
Appling will pair the Gilman with her Fund for Education Abroad scholarship to study in Italy and the United Kingdom during the 2022-23 academic year.
"This funding is making it a reality for me to study abroad," Appling said. "I want to gain a global perspective and be able to work well with international companies."
The other Gilman recipients this spring include:
- Kimberly Burns, who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies, will study in Taiwan.
- Phillip Ly, who is pursuing a degree in international affairs, will study in France.
- Lindsey Ward, who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies, will study in South Korea.
- Victoria Zappi Colombine, who is pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, will study in Taiwan.
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