MCC Study Abroad students receive $34,000 in Benjamin A. Gilman scholarships

MESA, Arizona – June 22, 2022 – Seven MCC students receive a total of $34,000 in Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships supporting participation in the Mesa Community College Study Abroad program; providing faculty-lead, short-term summer classes abroad.

The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program, an international scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, awards up to $5,000, or up to $8,000 if also a recipient of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award, to students attending a two-year community college or four-year college with Federal Pell Grant funding.

Yvonne Schmidt, MCC’s study abroad coordinator and Gilman Scholarship Advisor Ambassador, said, “We are proud to have so many Gilman recipients. These scholarships give students the opportunity to expand their worldview and practice critical thinking skills while having a life-changing cultural experience.”

Three students will study humanities and field biology in France – Amanda Christianson ($4,000), Shirley Beltran ($5,000) and Anastaysia Andreyeva ($5,000). Maria Abadia ($5,000) and Elizabeth Tejeda Payan ($5,000) will study Irish religion and storytelling in Ireland.

Charis Hayward and Georgina Mendez Fischer ($5,000 each) will learn about mythology and popular culture in Britain.

MCC Study Abroad destinations for 2023 will be announced in the fall at mesacc.edu/study-abroad.