JUNE 24, 2025 — The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is providing impactful study abroad opportunities for a record number of UTSA undergraduate students. Thirty-two Roadrunners were selected to receive the Gilman Scholarship this year, including 25 in the Spring 2025 semester alone. This marks the largest class of UTSA Gilman Scholars in university history and the highest number of scholarship recipients in a single semester.
The Gilman Scholarship awards up to $5,000 to undergraduate students from across the country so they can study, exchange or intern abroad. The competitive scholarship program affords transformative global learning opportunities to those who might not otherwise have the chance to study abroad due to financial constraints.
Over the next year, UTSA’s Gilman Scholars will study in countries like Argentina, South Korea, Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands and India, where they will gain intercultural competencies, experience new perspectives and connect with students and faculty from around the world.
Five of the scholarship recipients traveled to Japan in May with a UTSA Honors College program led by Mimi Yu , associate professor of practice in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Students visited Tokyo and Kyoto during the two-week program, immersing themselves in Japanese culture by visiting temples, museums and World Heritage sites.
The 2025–2026 Gilman Scholars are anticipated to study in the following countries from Spring 2025 to Spring 2026:
- Laisa Alarcon , Italy
- Jacob Arras , France
- Esmeralda Arteaga , Netherlands
- Juan Cabrera , Japan
- Alondra Chapa , South Korea
- Destinee Choummalaithong , Italy
- Michelle Crockett , Italy
- Michael Garcia, Jr. , Italy
- Nicole Garcia , United Kingdom
- Rachel Garcia , South Korea
- Alondra Gonzalez , Italy
- Joshua Gonzalez , Brazil
- Tytus Gonzalez , Japan
- Journie Graham , Japan
- Christopher Jones , Argentina
- Cindy Lam , Italy
- Diego Lopez , Japan
- Devin Martinez , India
- Madison Morgan , Japan
- Erick Navarro-Maldonado , Italy
- Eden Olguin , Italy
- Cedric Pitts , Italy
- Noelani Robins , Italy
- Catherine Rodriguez , Italy
- Ericka Rodriguez , Germany
- Luna Rodriguez , Germany
- Annah Sanchez , United Kingdom
- Ricardo Sanchez , Argentina
- Sarah Sarabia , Japan
- Angelie Smith-Rodriguez , South Korea
- Jorge Vanegas , Germany
- Leslie Vazquez , Italy
- Paris Vela , Italy
Fourteen of this year’s Gilman Scholars come from the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design , including eight architecture majors.
Since the scholarship’s inception in 2001, more than 44,000 Gilman Scholars have studied or interned in over 170 countries around the globe. Supported by the U.S. Congress, the Gilman Scholarship is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are Federal Pell Grant recipients.
This year’s record-setting class of Gilman Scholars demonstrates the continued growth of global learning opportunities at UTSA. For example, the university will facilitate 20 faculty-led programs across the globe this academic year in multiple areas of study, including engineering, language studies, archeology and film studies.
UTSA also recently partnered with organizations such as the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), Academic Programs International (API), CEA CAPA, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), WorldStrides and the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), which has increased available opportunities for students to study, intern, volunteer or participate in service learning in nearly 50 countries.
Lastly, UTSA Study Abroad launched its First Year Global Experience (FYGE) program this summer—giving students the option to live in Costa Rica, Greece or Spain for up to five weeks—and signed an agreement with the University of Otago to offer a new semester-long study abroad opportunity in New Zealand.
The UTSA Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) provides advising and guidance for students applying for the Gilman Scholarship and other awards. Housed in the Honors College, ONCA serves all UTSA students at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, helping them become strong candidates for competitive scholarships, study abroad trips, research awards and other academic opportunities.
