May 22, 2023

We are proud to announce Drexel’s eight Gilman Scholarship recipients from the March 2023 application cycle. The prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, supports American undergraduate students pursuing study abroad and international internships.

Congratulations to all of our recipients! We can't wait to see your adventures abroad!

Jishan Ahmed
political science ‘23
Gilman Scholar to Sweden and Norway

Jishan is a senior political science major with a minor in law. With the support of the Gilman Scholarship, he will be studying abroad in Norway and Sweden, where he will have exposure to their criminal justice systems and how their jailing systems work to rehabilitate individuals.

Michelle Ampofo
management information systems & business analytics ‘23
Gilman Scholar to France

Michelle is a senior at Drexel University studying MIS & Business Analytics in the college of LeBow and a minor in EAM at Westphal. With a background and passion in entertainment with prior opportunities stemming from Interscope & Def Jam Records, Sephora, and most recently MACRO Productions. When she's not working or in class some of her other passions include fashion and styling, traveling, trying new foods and karaoke!

Calvin Keeys
environmental science ‘25
Gilman Scholar to Ecuador

Calvin Keeys is currently a second year environmental science major with a minor in graphic design. His goal is to become a wildlife biologist with a focus on wildlife conservation and protecting endangered animals. He participated in the 2022 STAR Scholars cohort, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Weckstein at the Academy of Natural Sciences Department of Ornithology.

Growing up with an African American father and a Sierra Leonean mother, Calvin is proud of his multicultural background and wants to help provide opportunities to underrepresented communities and individuals in STEM careers. Calvin is a College of Arts and Sciences BRIDGE Scholar, Aspire Scholar (2022-2023 cohort), African Fusion Dance Team Vice President, and a member of the Black Student Union, African Students Association and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. He is currently continuing research at the Academy of Natural Sciences and volunteering at the Overbrook Environmental Education Center. Outside of academics, Calvin enjoys drawing, learning about animation, playing video games, bike riding and playing tennis.

Annie Le
management information systems, accounting, & business analytics ‘24
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Annie is a dynamic and determined individual who has been profoundly influenced by her life experiences, fueling her passion for exploration and education. Growing up in a low-income household, Annie encountered financial limitations that hindered her pursuit of world travel. Nonetheless, she devoted herself to academic excellence as a first-generation college student, striving to create a brighter future for her hard-working parents. Annie is currently a fourth-year student studying management information systems, accounting, and business analytics, with a minor in finance.

Thanks to the gracious support of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Annie's dream of studying abroad has materialized. She will embark on a transformative journey at Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea. Her primary objectives include cultivating a global perspective, fostering intellectual curiosity, and refining her skillsets, all of which will play a crucial role in her ability to contribute to her community and future career endeavors.

Nusrath Jahan
economics & business ‘24
Gilman Scholar to Australia

Nusrath Jahan is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying economics and business with double minors in technology innovation management and marketing. This fall, she will attend the University of New South Wales in Australia, where she plans to take classes like Economic Development to expand her knowledge in her field of study.

Raised in Upper Darby, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, Nusrath had the privilege of being exposed to diverse cultures and values during her upbringing. This exposure motivated her to apply for an abroad program, aiming to gain further understanding and experience beyond what she had already encountered. Nusrath also saw this opportunity as a chance to study abroad before her anticipated graduation next spring.

Tran Nguyen
global studies ‘25
Gilman Scholar to Germany and England

Tran is majoring in global studies with a concentration in global business, economics, and development. She is currently minoring in information systems and Asian studies and hopes to add a third minor in marketing upon her return after studying abroad. She received the honor of being selected as one of this year's Gilman Scholarship recipients. The scholarship will be used to support her study abroad program this summer at the Berlin School of Economics and Law in Germany and at the Foundation of International Education in England.

Celine Pham
computer science ‘27
Gilman Scholar to South Korea

Celine Pham is a first year computer science major. She is using her scholarship to study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Through this program she hopes to connect students in computer science and outside their major. One of the things she would love to do most during her time abroad is participate in a hackathon. After her summer program she hopes to improve communication skills and cultural competency which are important skills in a globalized program.

Matthew Soesanto
biological sciences ‘26
Gilman Scholar to Ecuador

Matthew has always been interested in biological research, and his experience in STAR has only enhanced that devotion. He is currently doing his first co-op at the Ornithology Department of the Academy of Natural Sciences where he researches host-parasite relationships of birds and parasites. He enjoys the mix of lab and field work in his co-op. Having particular interests in ecology and evolution, Matthew aims to explore the opportunities in this field of research. Matthew's main drive is to simply ask the greater questions and make use of the opportunities that come by him. On the side, he also loves watching films and playing futsal with his Indonesian community.

Matthew has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College as a 2022 STAR Scholar and a 2022-23 Aspire Scholar.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports a diverse range of students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad. Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000, or up to $8,000 if also a recipient of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award, to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs.

Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 36,000 Gilman Scholars from all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories have studied or interned in more than 155 countries around the globe. The program has successfully broadened U.S. participation in study abroad, while emphasizing countries and regions where fewer Americans traditionally study.

The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Want to learn more? Visit the Gilman Scholarship website or email us at fellowships@drexel.edu.