March 12, 2020

We are pleased to announce that a Drexel student has received a Critical Language Scholarship for 2020, and two have been named alternates. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Participants spend 8-10 weeks abroad over the summer, undertaking intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences. Congratulations to all of Drexel's honorees!

Savanna Michener (PhD student in Mechanical Engineering)
Critical Language Scholar to study Arabic in Morocco
Savanna Michener is a recent graduate from Drexel University's Peace Engineering Master’s Program with a technical focus on environmental resources. She has a strong passion for the environment, community, sustainability, and fundamental human needs. She received her undergraduate degree from the Custom-Designed Major program at Drexel University, which allowed her to develop her own major in Sustainable Development as a combination of civil and environmental engineering, public health, and global studies. Her work has focused on the intersection of climate, conflict, and development, an area that will continue to have intense local and global consequences. She is very grateful to Kevin Egan and Mira Olson for their continued support throughout her time at Drexel, including through the CLS application process.

Isabelle Betancourt (MS Communication ’19)
Critical Language Scholarship alternate for Bahasa Indonesia
Isa Betancourt is a Curatorial Assistant of Entomology at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and she recently completed her Master's in communication at Drexel University. Isa is interested in documenting, protecting, and celebrating biodiversity. She has realized these interests through her work supporting research in the entomology collection at the Academy, through her book, "Backyard Bugs of Philadelphia", and through social media outreach initiatives like the #bugscope on Periscope.tv.

*The list does not include the students who declined to have their names published online.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers intensive summer language institutes in 15 critical foreign languages. The selection process is administered by American Councils for International Education with awards approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship Program.