Southern Miss Students Selected for U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Program

Fri, 01/31/2025 - 02:24pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Five University of Southern Mississippi undergraduates have the opportunity for impactful and rewarding careers after graduation in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world through the prestigious U.S. Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (the Gilman Program).

Named for the late U.S. Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, the scholarship program provides students from multiple backgrounds with the financial support to study or intern abroad. Administered by the Institute of International Education since its inception in 2001, it features three goals:

• Development of a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity 

• Support of young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers 

• Expand the international destinations where U.S. students may study and intern to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values, critical to national security

“The Gilman Scholarship opens doors to students who would not otherwise be able to study abroad,” said Jessica Bunales, assistant director for the Southern Miss Center for International Education’s Office of Study Abroad. “With this financial support, students can attend these international programs which make such a positive impact on their lives both academically and personally. I’m so proud we continue to have Golden Eagles soaring abroad as Gilman Scholars.”

Southern Miss students awarded a Gilman International Scholarship, including their major, hometown and study abroad program are as follows: 

• Spencer Barbier, Biology Education, New Orleans, La. - Student Teaching Abroad in Greece 

• Lillian Baxter, Social Work, Kiln, Miss. - International Exchange Program in Swansea, Wales 

• Faith Holloway, Architectural Engineering Technology, Ocean Springs, Miss. - Partner Program in Italy 

• Daniel Norris, Cybersecurity, Waveland, Miss. - Crime and Politics in Ireland and Northern Ireland 

• Arianna Tate, Public Health Policy and Administration, Columbus, Miss. - Business and Culture in Asia (Japan)

Mary Beard, director of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards at Southern Miss, said Gilman Scholars can “become global citizens and return with more diverse perspectives.”

“I commend our Gilman winners from this past application cycle,” Beard continued. “The program experienced an influx in applications, so to become an awardee was even more challenging this year. I also want our students who were not selected to know they should be proud of their efforts and resubmit an application in the future, if possible.” 

Click here to learn about Study Abroad programming at Southern Miss. Click here for more information about the Gilman Program.