Middle Tennessee State University students Kaitlyn Woodland, a Video and Film Production major, and Maia Dennis, an Honors Buchanan Transfer Fellow and Criminal Justice Administration major, have been selected as recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The Gilman Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. Since its inception in 2001, the program has provided thousands of students with opportunities to gain critical skills, expand their global networks, and represent American culture abroad.
Award amounts can reach up to $5,000, with additional funding available for students pursuing STEM-related coursework or studying critical languages. The program emphasizes diversity of destinations and participants, with nearly 60% of Gilman scholars coming from small towns or rural communities.
Woodland, of Memphis, and Dennis, of Madison, join this distinguished group of scholars, earning recognition for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to broadening their horizons through international study.
“I applied for the Gilman Scholarship because studying abroad has always been something I wanted to experience, but I knew I would need financial support to make it possible,” said Woodland, who will be studying in Japan next fall. “When preparing my application, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my goals, my background, and why going abroad matters to me.”
“I am excited to start my minor in an entirely different country,” said Dennis, who will be studying in the Netherlands over the summer, working toward her minor in communications. “I am excited to expand my horizons. I love to travel and see what the world has to offer!”