MACON, Ga. — Mercer University’s Office of Global Engagement has awarded its latest round of Global Leader Scholarships (GLS), providing 27 students with a total of $66,000 to participate in study abroad programs during the upcoming spring semester.
The GLS program was launched in 2019 to support students with financial need in pursuing long-term study abroad opportunities at the University. The scholarship initially offered up to $8,000 per student for programs of eight weeks or longer, but the program was expanded to include awards of up to $5,000 for programs of three to eight weeks and up to $3,000 for programs shorter than three weeks.
“The Office of Global Engagement is proud to continue supporting the Global Leader Scholarship and creating meaningful opportunities for Mercer students to develop as globally minded leaders,” said Global Education Assistant Director Emily Dunn. “This program reflects Mercer’s commitment to preparing students to lead with purpose and make an impact in an interconnected world.”
Of the 27 students who received the most recent scholarships, six will participate in exchange or affiliate programs, and 21 will join faculty-led programs. They include:
- Trinity Bennett, a junior criminal justice leadership major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Raven Brand, a senior human services major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Evelyn Erickson, a junior general business major, will participate in a spring exchange program in the United Kingdom.
- Elijah Frazier, a sophomore marketing major, will participate in a spring exchange program in South Korea.
- Candra Garrett, a graduate clinical rehabilitation counseling student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the Netherlands.
- Saundra Harris, a junior mechanical engineering major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Chile.
- Marilyn Jones, a sophomore criminal justice leadership major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Taylor Kennedy, a graduate clinical mental health counseling student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the Netherlands.
- Anisa Khan, a senior public health major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Morocco.
- Srilakshmi Koya, an undeclared sophomore, will participate in a spring exchange program in the United Kingdom.
- Sarah Martin, a sophomore public health major, will participate in a spring exchange program in the United Kingdom.
- Asher McCowen, a junior political science major, will participate in a spring exchange program in South Korea.
- Nia McGill, a sophomore public health major, will participate in a spring faculty-led program in Morocco.
- Komal Memon, a senior biology major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Morocco.
- Bailey Middleton, a graduate clinical mental health counseling student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the Netherlands.
- Taneka Miller, a graduate criminal justice and public safety leadership student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Shante Nasir, a graduate organizational leadership student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Abbie Paul, a junior pre-nursing student, will participate in a spring exchange program in the United Kingdom.
- David Pham, a graduate biomedical engineering student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in South Korea.
- Eniya Robinson, a senior biology major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Sweden.
- Chandra Sentell, a sophomore accounting major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Chile.
- Hannah Simpson, a sophomore psychology major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Sweden.
- Chelsea Smith, a senior psychology major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Morocco.
- Sydney Stapleton, a senior environmental engineering major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Chile.
- Talia Tamayo Vega, a junior neuroscience major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Sweden.
- Victoria Whitehead, a graduate organizational leadership student, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Darrell Yankey, a senior mechanical engineering major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in South Korea.
“I’m extremely grateful to Mercer for this opportunity and for supporting students who want to learn beyond the classroom,” said sophomore Elijah Frazier. “This award reassures my passion for cultural engagement, and it motivates me to fully show up and make the most of my time abroad.”
“Being the first in my family selected to study abroad and to receive the full Global Scholarship is an honor that I am truly grateful for,” said graduate student Taneka Miller. “I am thankful for the blessing of being able to represent my family, my community and my university on a global level. Most importantly, I strive every day to be the best example for my daughters, and this achievement shows them that anything is possible with faith, hard work and determination.”
The next cycle for the Global Leader Scholarship will be for summer 2026 and fall 2026 programs and will be open Feb. 6-March 6. For more information, contact the Office of Global Engagement at studyabroad@mercer.edu or visit mercerabroad.com.
Not pictured: Trinity Bennett, Taylor Kennedy, Srilakshmi Koya, Asher McCowen, Bailey Middleton, Abbie Paul, David Pham, Chandra Sentell, Chelsea Smith, Sydney Stapleton and Victoria Whitehead.
