MACON, Ga. — Mercer University had 12 students chosen during the spring 2026 selection cycle to receive a total of $33,500 in funding to study abroad through the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program, which provides merit-based scholarships to students with high financial need to study or intern abroad.
This year marks the Gilman Program’s 25th anniversary, and Mercer was recognized and ranked No. 6 among the top 25 institutions (small institutions of fewer than 5,000 undergraduate students) producing Gilman Scholars across the 25-year history of the program.
Since the inception of the Gilman Scholars Program at Mercer, including this latest cohort, 196 scholarships have been awarded to students participating in study abroad programs and internships.
“Study abroad is a transformative educational experience, and we are delighted that Mercer students continue to be recognized at the national level as Gilman Scholars,” said Dr. Lisa M. Lundquist, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “This sustained success highlights the exceptional quality of our students, the strength of Mercer’s academic preparation, and our emphasis on experiential, globally engaged learning.”
This cycle’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients are:
- Aliya Alcindor, a senior management and finance double-major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Rwanda.
- Alyssa Ansley, a junior neuroscience major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in India.
- Taniyah Battle, a senior neuroscience major on the pre-medicine track and a member of the University Honors Program, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Radha Gandhi, a sophomore neuroscience major on the pre-medicine track, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Georgia.
- Matthew Gutierrez, a junior Spanish and biology major on the pre-medicine track and a member of the University Honors Program, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Kaleb Habte, a freshman pre-law major, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Peru.
- Anna Hull, a freshman on the pre-veterinary track, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Sweden.
- Kendyl Maddox, a junior African and African American studies and biology double-major on the pre-medicine track and a member of the University Honors Program, will participate in a summer affiliate program in Costa Rica.
- Galya Ortiz, a senior Spanish, management and international business triple-major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Paris Peah, a sophomore finance and economics double-major, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Rwanda.
- Andrea Tracy Stone, a sophomore on the pre-nursing track, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Poland.
- Nubia West, a junior psychology major on the pre-medicine track, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
Mercer has previously 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 continued success in Gilman scholarship competitions reflects the caliber of our students, the quality of our international programs and the commitment of our advising programs,” said Dr. David A. Davis, director of fellowships and scholarships. “So far, nearly 200 Mercerians have benefitted from this opportunity, which has allowed them to participate in life-changing experiences to study abroad and change the world.”
“Study abroad is a transformative experience that broadens students’ academic, professional and personal horizons,” said Emily Dunn, assistant director, global education “We are thrilled to see our students recognized through the Gilman Program and proud to support their journeys as global learners and leaders.”
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.
Since the inception of the Gilman Program in 2001, more than 180,000 applications have been received and more than 50,000 merit-based scholarships have been awarded to American students participating in study abroad programs and internships around the world.
About The Gilman Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) provides merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need to pursue credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad. These opportunities equip Gilman Scholars with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing the U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.
Feature image: Mercer University awarded 12 students with Gilman Scholarships to study abroad. Among those students are: (back l-r) Alyssa Ansley, Nubia West, Kendyl Maddox, Kaleb Habte (front l-r) Anna Hull, Radha Gandhi, Andrea Stone. Photo by Leah Yetter
