Several Spelman College students have earned the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship award. The global scholarships will allow nine students to travel and study abroad in seven countries: Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Morocco, France, and Spain.
“They will acquire invaluable cross-cultural competency skills on top of their academic pursuits. The October 2024 cycle awards build upon Spelman College's legacy of success with the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program. Spelman appreciates the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for making study abroad more accessible and inclusive for American students, who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise participate,” wrote Dr. ‘Dimeji R. Togunde, the vice provost for global education and professor of international studies.
The Gordon-Zeto Center for Global Education administers the scholarship at the College. Dr. Karen Clay serves as Spelman's Gilman Scholarship advisor and she collaborates with Stephanie Mathis, Taisha Seabolt, and Britni N. Sewell to continue making the initiative a success.
"The Gilman Scholarship continues to be a transformative opportunity for Spelman students, opening doors to global experiences that enrich their academic and personal growth. This year, we proudly celebrate nine Gilman Scholars whose international engagements will further strengthen the global perspectives of our campus and beyond,” said Dr. Clay.
Ava Makenzie Flanigan, C'2027, was inspired by previous scholars who participated in the program. Flanigan, a computer science major traveled to Cape Town, South Africa. "I studied abroad this past winter break during a J-Term term program. The program was organized by CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) and was held in Cape Town, South Africa. It was a great experience where I was able to learn how apartheid and HIV/AIDS deeply affected South Africa in the past few decades and the residual effects of those issues today. It also exposed me to a different culture from that of the U.S. and helped me feel confident exploring new countries," said Flanigan.
Anise Puckett, C'2025, an economics major visited Paris, France during J-Term. Her primary goal for studying abroad was to immerse in the culture and learn from it in a way that extended beyond textbooks and lectures.
"At Spelman, I had the privilege of learning from incredible French professors and tutors who deepened my appreciation for Francophone culture and history. However, actually being in the culture, surrounded by the language, traditions, and daily life, was an entirely different and transformative experience," said Puckett. "Living and learning in France allowed me to engage with the culture firsthand, from navigating everyday conversations to understanding the subtle nuances that can’t be taught in a classroom."
Chyna Beale, C’2027, learned about the program through help and resources from the Gordon-Zeto Center. She was reading her emails when she saw the scholarship opportunity. She carefully applied and was accepted into the program. The sociology major and Temple Hills, Maryland native is a first-generation college student and will be the first in her family to travel outside of the country.
"My family is excited but also nervous about this new venture and experience because they have never traveled outside of the country. They want me to be safe and to learn as much as possible. I plan on bringing my grandmother’s jewelry and my favorite pillow," said Beale.
She will take an 11-hour flight in May from Atlanta to Florence, Italy. Beale is excited to experience the atmosphere to learn about her study-abroad country’s history, culture, and food.
“I want to learn about history that isn't next tied to the United States and learn how other countries navigate through life. I want to try the food there and bring memories back to family and friends. I encouraged my friends who were also studying abroad to apply, and one of them, Jashayla Rivera, is also a recipient this year," said Beale. " I got my passport at the passport fair last semester around November. I was able to get it for free being a Pell Grant recipient which helped a lot with the financial barrier."
Jaliyah Goodlow, C’2027, is excited for the opportunity to gain personal and professional transformative growth in her life. Goodlow, an economics major, and Atlanta native will be traveling with a group of students to Rabat, Morocco. This will be her first international trip on an estimated 15-hour flight with a 5-hour layover in Paris, France. She will leave on May 11, and spend two weeks studying abroad.
"My goals for studying abroad are to gain intercultural experiences, expand my perspective, and grow both intellectually and personally. Immersing myself in a different culture allows me to understand new ways of life, engage with diverse communities, and challenge my own viewpoints. I see this as an opportunity to gain wisdom, become more globally conscious, and develop a deeper understanding of how environmental and social issues connect across borders. Overall, I want this experience to shape me into a more enlightened and well-rounded individual,” Goodlow said. "Since this is my first time traveling abroad, my family is a little nervous. They are cautious about me being in a foreign country and want to make sure I’m safe. But I keep reassuring them that studying abroad is going to be an amazing and rewarding experience!"
Goodlow obtained her passport from the October 2024 Atlanta Global Research and Education Collaborative (AGREC) Passport Fair held at Spelman and co-sponsored by Delta Airlines. Seabolt and Mathis, encouraged her to apply for the program. Goodlow plans to take a downloaded version of her “hometown” Apple Music playlist with her as a comfort token. "It’s full of songs that take me right back to riding in the back seat of my mom’s car," she said.
Tori Raymoni’ Wilson, C'2026, knows all about the power of persistence. She's a professional dream chaser who loves to set clear goals and go after them. Wilson learned about the program through study abroad.
“I learned about the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program through Spelman’s study abroad office and the college’s formal announcement of the 2024 Gilman Scholars. Before this, I was unaware that programs like these existed to fund students’ higher education pursuits that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to chase," Wilson said. "I never imagined someone like me, a small-town country girl, could be accepted into a prestigious international program. Still, this opportunity is a testament to the truth that with faith and action, anything is possible!"
Wilson hails from Loreauville, LA., a small French-influenced town that sits outside of Lafayette. She’s well-traveled, having visited several Caribbean countries, like Jamaica, Cuba, and Belize, and two European nations, France and Britain, and Mexico and Canada. Her goals for her upcoming study abroad program in Seville, Spain, include expanding her initial research project into the role of religion and spirituality in fostering resilience among women and racial minorities, experiencing the country independently to research graduate schools, and increasing her Spanish proficiency.
Jahshayla G. Rivera, C’2027, plans to expand her global perspective, build a diverse network, and gain experiences that will help shape her into a well-rounded leader. Rivera, an economics major, will travel to London, England, in May. “My goal is to engage with different cultures, challenge myself in new academic environments, and develop skills that will prepare me for a future as an entrepreneur and changemaker,” said Rivera. “This opportunity is more than just an educational experience; it’s a testament to how far I’ve come and how much further I can go. As I continue to break barriers and carve out a path for myself, I know that studying abroad will be a defining chapter in my journey, one that will allow me to grow, learn, and bring new knowledge back to my community.”
Hailey Mullins, C’2026, a health science major, will travel to Milan, Italy, in May. Her goals for studying abroad are to broaden her cultural awareness, enhance her academic knowledge, and develop essential life skills. “I want to immerse myself in a new environment, interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives,” Mullins said. “Academically, my goal is to expand my expertise in the medical field of study by learning from international scholars and experiencing a different educational system. Studying abroad is more than just an academic journey. It is an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and lifelong learning.”
Aria Armstead, C’2028, a theater and performance major major will travel to Legon, Ghana in May. She hopes to immerse herself in Ghana’s culture through it’s rich history and art. “I also wish to acquire more insight into global issues,” said Armstead. “Being in the U.S., we often focus on political or societal problems, which is a highly limiting perspective. However, I have high expectations for my trip to Legon, Ghana, thanks to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.”
It will be a new trip to remember for Spelman's future global leaders. The world is their classroom.
Ava Makenzie Flanigan, C'2027, Computer Science Major
Cape Town, South Africa, J-Term 2025
Anise Puckett, C'2025, Economics Major
Paris, France, J-Term 2025
Tori Raymoni' Wilson, C'2026, Psychology Major
Seville, Spain, Spring 2025
Aria Armstead, C'2028, Theater and Performance Major
Legon, Ghana, May 2025
Chyna Mariah Beale, C'2027, Sociology Major
Florence, Italy, May 2025
Jailyah Vera Goodlow, C'2027, Economics Major
Rabat, Morocco, May 2025
Sage Mae Lima-Jeffries, C'2028, Music Major
Rabat, Morocco, May 2025
Hailey Mackenzie Mullins, C'2026, Health Science Major
Milan, Italy, May 2025
Jashayla Rivera, C'2027, Economics Major
London, England, May 2025
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001. The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, backgrounds, and types of institutions. Almost 60% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States.