3 of 4 Gilman winners are future educators

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students earned the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in late fall 2025 and will use the funding in spring 2026. Three of the four are students in UNG's College of Education.

• Two seniors, Naidelinne Martinez-Hernandez and another student who prefers not to have her name released, both of whom are pursuing degrees in elementary and special education, will complete a study abroad placement at a school in New Zealand from March 6-April 4.
• Carmen Fowler, a senior who is also pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, is taking part in a study abroad placement in Spain for three months.
• Myrna Rosas, a junior who is pursuing a degree in nursing, will be part of the nursing study abroad to Peru during spring break in March.

Dr. Victoria Hightower, associate director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) office, assisted the students with their applications.

"Gilman is becoming more competitive each year, which makes these wins even more meaningful. All of our Gilman applicants worked so hard on their essays, and I appreciate their work," Hightower said. "The students who were awarded the Gilman this semester can take not only their experience writing the scholarship essays, but also their work abroad into their future careers." 

Dr. Kelly McFaden, College of Education associate dean for faculty affairs and community engagement and New Zealand internship abroad program director, is excited about what the future educators will experience thanks to Gilman funding.

"These experiences will enhance what students have learned around pedagogy and teaching by seeing how other nations approach education and what they value," McFaden said. "This allows our future educators to bring novel ideas back to their classrooms."

Martinez-Hernandez said the time in New Zealand provides a chance to have a teaching placement in a different context than most of her peers.

"It's a wonderful experience," she said. "And I'm glad they offer all of this to us."

Martinez-Hernandez expressed gratitude for Hightower's assistance.

"I encourage others to apply. It's a really good opportunity, especially with all the help UNG gives," Martinez-Hernandez said.

Fowler, a Flowery Branch, Georgia, resident, is grateful for the Gilman and looking forward to her time in Spain.

"I am most excited to challenge myself and enhance my Spanish language skills. I am also looking forward to living in another country for three months and what I will learn during this time," Fowler said. "This study abroad experience will help me grow as a future educator by getting the opportunity to work with multilingual students, as well enhance my adaptability skills by learning new curriculums and teaching styles."

Rosas, a First-Generation college student, said the Gilman is furthering her nursing education by allowing her to study abroad. She expressed appreciation to Dr. Brittany Barron, NCS coordinator, for her assistance in the application process. Rosas plans to share her experiences and information about the scholarship with nursing students, particularly other First-Generation nursing students, when she returns.

"It will help me know how to take care of patients in a way that meets their needs culturally," Rosas said. "I want to learn about Peruvian culture in a way that a textbook can't teach me."