By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has earned national recognition for its success in producing Gilman Scholars over the past 25 years. The university was recognized among the top 25 large institutions in the United States for supporting students who received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The Gilman Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 and provides merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students participating in study abroad or international internship experiences. The recognition highlights universities that supported the highest number of Gilman Scholars between 2001 and 2025.
University officials said the achievement reflects years of collaboration between the Global Experiences Office and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Together, the offices provide writing workshops, advising sessions, and application support to students preparing Gilman Scholarship deadlines. Since 2012, the partnership has helped more than 350 students successfully earn the scholarship.
“I am extremely proud of the relationships and collaboration between units to best serve our students,” said Marnie Nelson, director of the Global Experiences Office. “Our office will continue to make every effort to build pathways for all students to participate in a global experience. The Gilman International Scholarship is a key component of our efforts.”
University staff members also emphasized the importance of providing individualized support to students applying for international education programs.
“I’m proud of the system that we’ve put in place collaborating with the Undergraduate Research and Fellowship office,” she said. “Each cycle, we offer support so that any student can access information about the Gilman and get individualized essay feedback. It’s a real joy for me to work closely with all these talented students and see them earn the scholarship, opening the door to a life-changing study abroad experience.”
Students participating in the scholarship program described the experience as valuable both personally and academically.
“With help from the Gilman Scholarship, and from UNL, I was able to afford the program,” she said. “We stayed in Singapore for two weeks and learned about their vastly diverse culture and life in southeast Asia. This trip really fueled my love for visiting other countries and desire to be a model global citizen.”
University officials said international education opportunities help students develop leadership, communication, and cultural understanding skills that support future careers and strengthen communities.
Photo Credit: nebraska-extension
Categories: Nebraska, Education, General