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 Spanish and political science double-major from Jackson who graduated May 12, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Spain.
- Madeline Brown, a Global Health major with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health is a senior from Statesboro, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Jennifer Cruz, a rising junior biomedical engineering major from Jonesboro, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Jordan.
- Jaden Groce, a rising junior political science and history double-major from Fayetteville, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Georgia.
- Luke Hand, a rising senior management major from Senoia, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Mexico.
- Alexis Hoard, a rising senior biomedical engineering major from Grovetown, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Adam Le, an undeclared rising sophomore from Lawrenceville, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Maya Lee, an entrepreneurship major from McDonough who graduated May 12, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Africa.
- Brandy Leyva Nava, a rising junior biomedical engineering major from Norcross, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Gregory Midura, a rising junior mechanical engineering major from Cordele, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Korea.
- Katelyn Ngo, an undeclared rising junior from Lawrenceville, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Chelsea Smith, a rising senior psychology major from Fairburn, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in France.
- Sneha Timsina, a rising senior neuroscience major from Lawrenceville, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Greece.
- Uchechi Uwazie, a rising senior management and accounting double-major from Kennesaw, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in South Africa.
- Ryan Vo, a rising junior biochemistry and molecular biology major from Lawrenceville, will participate in a summer Mercer On Mission program in Vietnam.
- Hannah Walker, a neuroscience major from Ocilla who graduated May 12, will participate in a summer faculty-led program in Greece.
- Kailyn Walker, a rising senior Spanish and public health double-major from Vidalia, 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.”
