MACON — Mercer University had 17 students chosen during the spring 2025 selection cycle to receive a total of $47,500 in funding to study abroad through the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program.
- Maria Bautista, a senior Spanish and political science double-major, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Spain.
- Madeline Brown, an undeclared junior, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Jennifer Cruz, a sophomore biomedical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Jordan.
- Jaden Groce, a sophomore political science and history double-major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Georgia.
- Luke Hand, a junior management major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Alexis Hoard, a junior biomedical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Adam Le, an undeclared freshman, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Maya Lee, a senior entrepreneurship major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Africa.
- Brandy Leyva Nava, a sophomore biomedical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Gregory Midura, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Korea.
- Katelyn Ngo, an undeclared sophomore, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Chelsea Smith, a junior psychology major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in France.
- Sneha Timsina, a junior neuroscience major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Greece.
- Uchechi Uwazie, a junior management and accounting double-major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Africa.
- Ryan Vo, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Hannah Walker, a senior neuroscience major, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Greece.
- Kailyn Walker, a junior Spanish and public health double-major, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Spain.
“Mercer is consistently one of the nation’s top producers of Gilman Scholars. This is not an accident,” said Dr. David A. Davis, director of fellowships and scholarships. “It reflects the quality of our students, our commitment to making international experiences accessible, and our dedicated support staff in Global Education and Fellowships and Scholarships. Our institutional success with this award reflects both the caliber of Mercer students and our commitment to making these experiences available to all students.”
Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 — or up to $8,000 if they are also a recipient of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award — to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs.
Mercer has been recognized as both a Gilman Top Producing Institution and a Gilman Greatest Growth Institution for its role in broadening the student population that studies abroad overall, as well as in areas of priority achievement.
“The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a prestigious national award, and students who have received it have gone on to do great things for our country and the world,” said Global Education Programs Coordinator Bryan Johnson. “Mercer University’s continued excellence in the number of students awarded through the Gilman program year over year is a testament to the dedication, intelligence and tenacity of our student body. It also speaks to the hard work of our staff in the Global Education and Fellowships and Scholarships office, who are dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams, both internationally and here in our Mercer community.”
Feature photo: Mercer University awarded 17 students with Gilman Scholarships to study abroad. Among those students are: (front l-r) Maya Lee, Sneha Timsina, Madeline Brown, Katelyn Ngo, Brandy Leyva Nava (back l-r) Chelsea Smith, Hannah Walker, Kailyn Walker, Luke Hand. Photo by Leah Yetter
