An unprecedented 16 Mercer University students are among the 1,413 recipients from 427 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad during the spring, summer or fall of 2020.

This is a record number for the University during a single selection cycle and nearly doubles the number of Gilman Scholarships awarded to Mercer students at this time last year.

Mercer was recognized in March as a Gilman Greatest Growth Institution for the University’s role in broadening the student population that studies abroad overall, as well as in areas of priority achievement.

This cycle’s recipients include:

Mikayla Alves, a sophomore biomedical engineering major who will participate in a Mercer On Mission trip to South Korea

Ashley Anderson, a junior English major who will study abroad in South Korea

Geneis Crime, a sophomore criminal justice and sociology double-major who will study abroad in Thailand

Mary-Angel Ekezie, a junior neuroscience major who will participate in an internship in South Africa

Justin Henry, a freshman public health and Spanish double-major who will study abroad in Spain

Jada Johnson, a junior public health major who will study abroad in Spain

Blessed Jordan, a junior neuroscience major who will participate in a Mercer On Mission trip to Tanzania.

Damangeliz Martinez Lugo, a sophomore chemistry major who will study abroad in France

Jaylin Mitchell, a senior chemistry and business management double-major who will participate in a Mercer On Mission trip to Vietnam

Ama Osei, a junior neuroscience and Japanese double-major who will study abroad in Japan

Ashley Pettaway, a junior psychology major who will study abroad in South Korea

Clifford Quianoo, a junior neuroscience major who will participate in a Mercer On Mission trip to Vietnam

Brianna Ramsay, a junior Spanish major who will study abroad in Spain

Yasmine Sheik, a sophomore nursing major who will study abroad in Morocco

Orion Watson, a junior computer engineering and computer science double-major who will study abroad in Japan

Natalie Yaeger, a sophomore neuroscience and English double-major who will participate in a Mercer On Mission trip to Guyana

The congressionally funded Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients.

Since the program’s establishment in 2001, the Gilman Program has awarded more than 31,000 scholarships to students from 1,335 institutions to participate in study abroad programs and internships in 151 countries.

“In comparison to last year, there was about a 45% increase in the number of awards Mercer students won this cycle,” said August Armbrister, study abroad advisor in the Officer of International Programs. “We’re extremely proud of the work the newest cohort of Gilman recipients has put in towards this prestigious accomplishment. Special thanks to the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships for its great contributions throughout this process. We’re looking forward to the new global perspectives and conversations the students will bring back to the Mercer community.”

The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institution of International Education.