Six University of Richmond Students Awarded Competitive Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Six University of Richmond students have been awarded Gilman scholarships to support their study abroad experiences.

Gilman grants allow students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. According to data provided by Gilman, about 70% of scholarship recipients self-identify as racial or ethnic minorities; 60% are from rural areas and small towns across America; and half are first-generation college students. All are Pell Grant recipients.

“The Gilman Scholars program allows students to study or intern abroad without worrying about the financial burden that could be a barrier,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, which oversees Richmond’s Gilman program. “Study abroad experiences through this program focus on gaining skills critical to national security and addressing shared global challenges, such as climate change, food security, and global health.”

The U.S. Department of State recently recognized the University of Richmond for producing the most Gilman recipients for the 2021–22 academic year in the small institutions category. During that award cycle, 16 students received Gilman scholarships. To date, 95 UR students have been offered Gilman scholarships.

UR’s latest Gilman scholars include the following:

• Usra Karar, a junior from Herndon, Virginia, received support to study in India, South Africa, and Argentina. Karar is majoring in health studies and minoring in business.
• Rose Martinez, a junior from Trenton, New Jersey, received support to study in Chile. Martinez is majoring in sociology with minors in anthropology and linguistics.
• Carmen Ovalle, a junior from Trenton, New Jersey, will study in Brazil. Ovalle, who is double majoring in cognitive science and psychology and minoring in Luso-Brazilian studies and Latin American, Latino, & Iberian studies, also earned a Critical Need Language Award to study Portuguese.
• Jae Will, a sophomore from Mechanicsville, Virginia, received support to study in Taiwan. Will is double majoring in computer science and Chinese studies and minoring in mathematics and linguistics.
• Parker Williams, a sophomore from Hanover, Pennsylvania, will study in France. Williams is an accounting major.

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