MACON, Ga. — Mercer University had 10 students chosen during the October 2025 selection cycle to receive a total of $26,500 in funding to study abroad through the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program.
- Anisha Dieujuste, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Morocco.
- Amar Gibson, a sophomore civil engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in the Dominican Republic.
- Rubby Gyan, an undeclared sophomore, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Costa Rica.
- Kaitlyn Hawkins, a sophomore criminal justice leadership major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
- Tristen Lowell, a freshman biomedical engineering major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission in the Dominican Republic.
- 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 summer Mercer On Mission in Costa Rica.
- Talia Tamayo Vega, a junior neuroscience major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in Sweden.
- Lauren Tickle, a senior chemistry major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission in France.
- Charlotte Whitehead, a senior human resources administration and development major, will participate in a spring break faculty-led program in the United Kingdom.
“The Gilman seeks to develop students into the future international leaders of our nation with international networks, professional capabilities and cross-cultural knowledge needed for successful global careers,” said Felix Jelen, assistant vice president of global education. We often say, ‘at Mercer, everyone majors in changing the world’ — within the world of global education, the number of Mercerians who continue to earn the Gilman each year is proof of this claim for the University.”
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.
“Mercer’s historical performance as a top producer of Gilman scholars over the past five years is a true validation of Mercer’s approach to transformational education abroad,” said Jelen.
“Receiving the Gilman Scholarship is an honor and a transformative opportunity that makes my dream of studying abroad a reality,” said Vega. “This experience will allow me to broaden my perspectives, immerse myself in diverse cultures and acquire valuable knowledge that I will incorporate into my future career.”
“I am deeply grateful for this life-changing opportunity and the program’s dedication to expanding access to meaningful global learning experiences,” said Hawkins. “I am truly appreciative of the Gilman program’s commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds to engage with the world.”
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.
