--- title: UMD Celebrates Record Number of Gilman Scholars date: 2025-07-08T09:30:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/umd-celebrates-record-number-of-gilman-scholars" section: Articles --- # UMD Celebrates Record Number of Gilman Scholars *July 8, 2025* — by [Laura Barnhardt Cech](/author/laura-barnhardt-cech) > Study-Abroad Opportunities for Students With Financial Need Rank Among Top 5 Nationally *Pariya Ahmadi at solar facility in Vietnam Jan 2025 1920x1080 — Pariya Ahmadi ’26, shown at a wind power plant in Vietnam in January, and Ezequiel Delcid Hernandez ’27 (below), who studied in Tanzania, were among the record-high of 60 Terps who received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in the 2024-25 academic year to study or intern abroad.* Pariya Ahmadi ’26 was one of the first visitors to a luxurious eco-resort being built at an off-shore wind power plant in Vietnam. She learned how shrimp farmers recycle nutrients that can be used to grow rice organically. And she studied with top researchers at the noted Can Tho University. The University of Maryland undergraduate’s study abroad experience, funded through a Gilman scholarship, deepened her understanding of global climate challenges and connected directly to her degree in environmental science and policy and concentration in global environmental change. “We went to areas that tourists would never get to go to, and we spoke to locals about the global warming and global climate change impacts that they're facing,” said Ahmadi, who is among the 60 Terps who received a [Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship](https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/) in the 2024-25 academic year to study or intern abroad––the most UMD has ever received in a year. UMD recently was ranked No. 4 among all institutions nationwide in the number of students to receive Gilman scholarships, a program of the U.S. Department of State that awards up to $5,000 to U.S. students eligible for Pell Grants for their pursuits abroad. Students can spend up to a year studying languages, working in internships or studying as part of an exchange program. Named for a former U.S. congressman, it’s intended to better prepare American students to work in a global economy and to increase opportunities for first-generation college students. “UMD's national ranking reflects our commitment to inclusive global learning opportunities that serve the economic diversity of our student body, ensuring access regardless of financial need,” said Lauren Ruszczyk, UMD’s director of Education Abroad. The achievement was made possible through Education Abroad’s partnership with the National Scholarships Office and the support of the [Gilman Guarantee](https://marylandglobal.umd.edu/global-learning-all/study-abroad/affordability/scholarships/umd-education-abroad-scholarship#:~:text=The%20Gilman%20Guarantee%20program%20is,apply%20for%20the%20Benjamin%20A.), which provides a guaranteed $500 scholarship to qualified students who complete Gilman applications and go on to study abroad. “UMD is committed to making international experiences accessible to all students by prioritizing financial support opportunities like the Gilman Scholarship,” said William A. Cohen, associate provost and dean for undergraduate studies. “These efforts ensure that students from all backgrounds can take part in transformative global learning experiences.” Taylor Wilbon ’26, a marketing and international business double major who just finished a semester at University Carlos III of Madrid in Spain, said the program was life-changing. It allowed her to visit nine countries, and to build up her courage. “It's a pretty big dream to travel the world, especially when you've never been out of the country,” said Wilbon. “I would not have been able to go abroad without the Gilman \[scholarship\].” The Gilman Scholarship is among the many competitive, prestigious awards available to UMD undergraduate students. “We work closely with students to help them identify and pursue opportunities that align with their goals—whether that’s studying abroad, contributing to research, or preparing for public service,” said Francis DuVinage, director of UMD’s [National Scholarships Office](https://www.scholarships.umd.edu/). Gilman recipients are chosen through a competitive selection process. Students who are studying languages deemed critical by the State Department, such as Arabic and Chinese, can receive an additional $3,000. *Ezequiel Delcid Hernandez poses on tree* --- **2024-25 UMD Gilman Scholars** Michaela Abraham ’26 (economics) Pariya Ahmadi ’26 (environmental science and policy) Olivia Akhtar ’27 (information science; finance) Chigozie Amadi ’25 (public health science) Choudelie Cadet ’27 (information systems) Merium Easterling ’26 (information science) Dennis Gomez ’26 (mechanical engineering) Melannie Grageda ’26 (elementary education) Hayrenzy Hassen ’25 (information science) Jamie Jung ’26 (information systems) Tabara Kaloga ’25 (family science) Bora Keskin ’26 (accounting) Adriana Koilpillai ’27 (public health science) Ayushi Patel ’27 (public health science) Oleksandra Poddubska ’26 (architecture) Nathan Temesgen ’25 (information sciences) Michelle Tran ’25 (biological sciences; mathematics) Ariana Tsegai ’26 (government and politics) Ezequiel Delcid Hernandez ’27 (public health science) Zohneseh Fopenawoh ’25 (criminology and criminal justice; philosophy, politics and economics) Noelia Gomez Gonzalez ’27 (architecture) Ellie Hill ’26 (information science; public policy) Elena Jaimes ’26 (government and politics) Kendalyn Korth ’26 (history) Mark Kuznik ’27 (computer engineering) Jingyi Li ‘27 (finance) Samantha Linares ‘27 (philosophy, politics and economics) Beza Mangesha ‘26 (hearing and speech sciences) Anne Mbessa ‘26 (psychology) Heidi Nkrumah ‘27 (public health science) Oluwatobiloba Oloye ‘26 (civil engineering) Grace Pak ‘28 (public policy) Radhakund Ramnarine ‘25 (criminology and criminal justice; studio art) Sarah St Villier ‘26 (criminology and criminal justice; public policy) Mason Stein ‘26 (mechanical engineering) Gina Tetteh ‘27 (hearing and speech sciences) Jadon Thomas ‘28 (information sciences) Mellisa Tsai ‘26 (criminology and criminal justice) Cricia Villanueva ‘26 (biological sciences) Calvin Waller ‘26 (letters and sciences) Ken Wei ‘26 (computer science) *This list does not include students who declined the scholarship or who asked for their names not to be published.* **Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community) **Tags:** [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience) **Units:** [Office of Undergraduate Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/office-undergraduate-studies)