Congratulations to the nine Drexel students who were recently named as Gilman Scholars! These students will receive funding from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program to support their study abroad. Several students were also awarded supplemental funding for language study and STEM coursework. Drexel's Gilman Scholars will be studying in South Korea, Spain, Ghana, and Hong Kong. We're excited to see their travels!
Aneesah Brown, health services administration '28
Gilman Scholar to South Korea; Critical Need Language Award for Korean
Aneesah is a first-generation college student majoring in health services administration, with a passion for cultural immersion and an interest in global healthcare systems. As a Philadelphia native, she has always been driven by a desire to understand the diverse backgrounds that surround her daily and apply that perspective to healthcare systems in the United States. She is now preparing to take this knowledge overseas to Seoul, South Korea, where she intends to study the city's high-efficiency public health infrastructure and unique approach to wellness. Through this immersion, she aims to gain the firsthand experience necessary to become an impactful Health Administrator upon graduating from Drexel University in 2028.
Vineet Kaur, computing & security technology '27, Honors
Gilman Scholar to South Korea
Vineet is a rising senior majoring in computing and security technology with a minor in finance. She has gained professional experience through roles as a Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, a Network Operations Intern at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a Cybersecurity Analyst at Davidson Kempner Capital Management. In 2025, she was awarded the Exceptional Academic Achievement Award from CCI’s Department of Information Science in recognition of her academic accomplishments.
As a language and technology enthusiast, she is passionate about opportunities that combine global learning with technical innovation. This summer, she will study abroad at Seoul National University in South Korea, where she looks forward to expanding her academic perspective through immersive international study. She is excited to deepen her cultural understanding and build international connections within global technology and security spaces. She hopes this experience will strengthen her ability to contribute to the evolving global cybersecurity landscape.
Dominic Rivera, business & engineering '28
Gilman Scholar to Spain
Dominic is pursuing a degree in business and engineering with interests in project management, real estate development, and global business. Through the support of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, he will be studying abroad at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. He hopes to gain a broader understanding of how business, urban development, and collaboration operate outside of the United States, while exploring ideas and perspectives that can translate back into his future career.
Professionally, Dominic worked for a year and a half as an Assistant Project Manager co-op at INTECH Construction, contributing to healthcare, higher education, and hospitality renovation projects throughout Philadelphia. His experience included coordinating with subcontractors, architects, and project teams on inspections, and closeout processes. He is also a Drexel Liberty Scholar and a member of the LeBow College of Business BRIDGE program, where he has participated in leadership development, networking opportunities, and immersion experiences.
Outside of academics and construction management, Dominic is passionate about visual art, storytelling, and community. His drawing inspiration comes from his Puerto Rican identity, personal experiences, and urban communities. Through both his creative and professional work, he hopes to build a career that connects business, development, design, and community impact.
Taslim Sabil, teacher education '28, Honors
Gilman Scholar to Ghana
Taslim is a secondary education major at Drexel University with a concentration in social studies and a minor in linguistics. As a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, she will be studying abroad in Ghana through Drexel’s Culture & Community Development program to explore community-driven approaches to development and the role of culture and history in shaping sustainable change.
Her research background includes work on kindergarten readiness and the role of play in early childhood education as a 2025 STAR Scholar, as well as her current position with the Search Institute, supporting research on adolescent development through youth advisory groups and qualitative analysis. Taslim is also actively involved in civic and community leadership as a Community Leader for the School District of Philadelphia’s Facilities Planning Process, Vice President of Drexel’s Muslim Students Association, and as a John Lewis Young Leaders Fellow, where she has worked with partners including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Mayor’s Office of Muslim Engagement and other international organizations to support community-based initiatives and advocacy efforts. She hopes to pursue a career in education to return to her community and invest in the students who come from the same environments that shaped her.
She is a Liberty Scholar, a member of the Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University, and a recipient of the Lindy Center’s Authentic Civic Engagement Mini-Grant.
Sophia Senh, management information systems '27, Honors
Gilman Scholar to Hong Kong; Gilman STEM Awardee
Sophia’s academic path as a management information systems student and a first-generation transfer student has been driven by a fascination with the evolving relationship between technology and the modern workforce. Through her co-ops at Fox Rothschild and NeuroFlow, she has seen firsthand how data-driven insights can improve employee well-being. Now, as a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship and STEM Supplemental Award, Sophia is eager to dive deeper on a global scale at the City University of Hong Kong in 2027. She is particularly excited to immerse herself in a global tech hub, exploring how international markets leverage People Analytics and HR technology to solve complex talent challenges. Whether she is analyzing workforce trends in R or understanding the complexities of a Mahjong game, Sophia is constantly looking for ways to blend technical expertise with human-centered solutions. Ultimately, she looks forward to a career in HR technology where she can help organizations build more equitable and innovative cultures through the power of data.
Chetanna Tony-Ogbata, criminology & justice studies '27
Gilman Scholar to South Korea
Chetanna is currently a junior at Drexel University majoring in criminology and justice studies, with aspirations of attending law school after graduation and pursuing a career as either a criminal defense attorney or an entertainment lawyer. Throughout her time at Drexel, she has consistently remained on the Dean’s List. As part of her academic experience, she participated in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, where she engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaborated with incarcerated men at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center throughout a 10-week program. In addition, she served as a judicial intern for The Sentencing Foundation under the Honorable Judge Stephanie M. Sawyer, where she successfully completed all her responsibilities.
With the support of the Gilman Scholarship, Chetanna will be studying abroad at Seoul National University in the Department of Sociology. During her time abroad, she aims to expand her global perspective, further develop her Korean language skills after completing two courses at Drexel, and examine the legal landscape and social norms of South Korea to better inform her future career.
Khansa Vedda, nursing '28
Gilman Scholar to Spain
Khansa Vedda is a nursing major pursuing a minor in Spanish. As a first-generation Indonesian American student, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her multicultural background and dedication to serving diverse communities. She will be studying at Universidad Nebrija in Madrid, where she plans to immerse herself in the Spanish language and culture while strengthening her intercultural communication skills. Through this experience, she aims to enhance her ability to communicate across language barriers and engage with diverse populations.
Khansa has completed two co-ops at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as a Student Intern in the Geriatrics Research Department and as a Nursing Assistant in the Heart and Vascular ICU, where she gained valuable clinical and research experience. In addition, she serves as the secretary of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, where she plays an active role in coordinating communication and organizing events that promote leadership, scholarship, and service. Her academic and professional interests focus on improving communication between healthcare providers and Spanish-speaking patients and advancing equitable, patient-centered care.
Sudi Yang, finance & business analytics '28, Honors
Gilman Scholar to Spain
As a first-generation college student, Sudi Yang is pursuing a dual major in finance and business analytics at LeBow College of Business at Drexel University, where he is an honors student in the Pennoni Honors College. He is driven by a strong interest in finance, consulting, and understanding how businesses operate across different markets, with an additional interest in nonprofits and civic engagement. Outside of academics, Sudi enjoys long aimless walks, exploring new cafés, and practicing hot yoga.
Sudi gained professional experience as an Investment Analyst Co-op at HHM Hotels, where he supported real estate acquisitions through financial modeling, market research, and deal analysis. On campus, he has served as a Resident Assistant, a LeBow Peer Leader, and Director of Finance for the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee.
With support from the Gilman Scholarship, Sudi will study abroad at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain.
*This announcement does not include one recipient who declined publicity.
About the Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship 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. Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs, and can also apply for additional funding through the Gilman Critical Need Language Award or the Gilman STEM Supplemental Award.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 50,000 Gilman Scholars have studied or interned in more than 170 countries around the world.
Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs in the Pennoni Honors College helps students apply for the Gilman Scholarship. If you are interested in applying for this award, please email fellowships@drexel.edu for information about advising and resources.