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he U.S. Department of State announced its list of U.S. higher education institutions that sent the most students overseas on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program over the 2017-2018 academic year. Skyline College has been announced as the #1 community college in California and the #3 community college (tied with Kirkwood Community College) nationwide for producing Gilman Scholars. The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of International Education, compiles the list of top producing institutions, organized by size and type.
Skyline College was the only community college in California to be recognized as a Gilman Top Producer for Students with Disabilities and First-Generation College Students. It was also recognized for Greatest Growth for Associate’s Colleges, Most Unique Destinations, and Students with Disabilities. This recognition highlights Skyline College’s commitment to making international study and internships more accessible and inclusive for American students of all backgrounds through the Gilman Program. Staff have made district-wide efforts in prioritizing the Gilman Scholarship by hosting scholarship workshops for students and collaborating with the Financial Aid and The Learning Center offices on campus.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, with the support of the U.S. Congress, is reshaping study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive for American students. The Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population that studies and interns abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduates who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise participate. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent 28,000 Gilman scholars to 149 countries around the globe. For a full list of the institutions by category, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website at www.GilmanScholarship.org/TopGilman.
SMCCCD Study Abroad is the district-wide study abroad program housed in the Global Learning Programs and Services Division at Skyline College. For more information about studying or interning abroad, faculty teach abroad opportunities, community travel for lifelong learners, visiting international faculty presenters and student scholarship opportunities, please contact Zaid Ghori at (650) 738-7088 or ghoriz@smccd.edu. You can also learn more by visiting the SMCCCD Study Abroad Facebook page or Instagram page @smcccd_study_abroad.
Article and Photo by Stephanie Wells
