George Washington University was recently named the top producer among medium-sized higher education institutions for the Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad. The scholarship, which mobilizes undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients to study abroad, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of diversifying both the student population that studies abroad as well as the destinations of study.
GW earned the best ranking for institutions with 5,000 to 15,000 undergraduate students, which was the medium division. The top 20 schools in each category (large consisted of schools with 15,000 or more undergrads, small was for those with 5,000 or fewer undergrads and associates were for non-bachelor’s degree seeking institutions) earned recognition for their support of equity, diversity and accessibility in study abroad for American students through the Gilman Program.
The honor comes as a huge source of pride for the university, especially the Office for Study Abroad as it has increased its efforts to have a diversity of GW student voices, upbringings, financial backgrounds and fields of study represented through study abroad across the globe.
“We are so happy to have been recognized for this achievement,” said Jennifer Donaghue, executive director of the International Services Office and the Office for Study Abroad. “It means so much for us in our mission. The scholarship is prestigious and is a way that the government is recognizing the work we do and the importance of international education.”
According to the Office for Study Abroad at the university, more than 1,000 GW students study abroad each academic year, participating in more than 150 programs available in GW Passport.