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URI named top producer of Gilman Scholars as program celebrates its 25th year

URI is one of the top institutions producing Gilman Scholars across the 25-year history of the Gilman Program

Students like North Providence’s Ahmad Almuhtaseb ’26, now in Japan, have used the Gilman Award to make overseas experiences possible.

KINGSTON, R.I. – March 12, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State for being a top producer of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients among mid-sized colleges and universities in the country over the past 25 years. 

The Gilman Scholarship program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to national security and economic prosperity. Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 41,000 Gilman Scholars have studied or interned in more than 160 countries around the globe.

The recognition highlights both URI as a national leader in producing and helping students be competitive and successful applicants for the prestigious program, as well as the program’s recipients. The University has produced 177 Gilman Scholars over the past 25 years and last year’s recipient tally has been one of the highest in recent years.

“Gilman is looking for applicants with a well-thought out career trajectory as well as preparedness to go abroad,” said URI Director of Fellowships Keegan Scott. “Time and time again, URI students have demonstrated they have been able to translate their skillsets in the classroom, the lab, and their larger community involvement to academic settings around the world and back.”

Warwick’s Andzelika Cetera ’26 used her Gilman Scholarship to study in Costa Rica.

The Gilman Program has reshaped study abroad to make it more accessible for more American students by providing scholarships to outstanding U.S. undergraduate students who might not otherwise participate.

Jordan Berry, of Ocean City, New Jersey, a mechanical engineering student currently studying in Santander, Spain, says the Gilman Award made it possible for her to study abroad. “I hope by being here, I am not only able to expand my engineering skill set, career and academic opportunities, but to learn more about myself as well,” she said.

In 2025, 15 URI students received Gilman Awards for study in a range of sites around the world:

Ahmad Almuhtaseb, Computer Engineering/Japanese; Japan
Ben Annicelli, Computer Engineering/German; Germany
Jordan Berry, Mechanical Engineering/Spanish; Spain
Andzelika Cetera, Kinesiology; Costa Rica
Michael Chamberlin, Mechanical Engineering/German; Germany
Molly Croes, Chinese/Data Science; Taiwan
Omani Cruz, Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design; France
Olivia Hazard, Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design; South Korea
Piper Krause, Mechanical Engineering/German; Germany
Annie Liang, Computer Science/Chinese; Taiwan
Charlize Lopez, Finance/Accounting; Spain
Jose Mercado, Electrical Engineering/Italian; Italy
Kacper Paprocki, Mechanical Engineering/German; Germany
Jack Russo, Electrical Engineering/Japanese; Japan
Brady Squire, Finance; South Korea
Gabriel Stradtman, Mechanical Engineering/German; Germany

“URI has produced so many Gilman Scholars over the years, thanks to access and excellence,” said Scott. Since joining URI last June, Scott said he immediately felt an established collaborative spirit between offices which benefits outreach for the Gilman program.

His office, Fellowships@URI, works hand-in-hand with the Office of International Education as their team of advisors work tirelessly to encourage students to go abroad, as well as to find ways to help them finance their international experience (they have even launched a podcast together). The URI Academic Enhancement Center’s Writing Center has also helped students polish their draft essays for selection success.

“It’s clear that everyone from the administration to advisors is connecting URI students with the right resources,” Scott said.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is named for the late Congressman Benjamin Gilman, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years and chaired the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Gilman helped to gain passage of the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, which established exchange programs for American students to study abroad.

Gilman Scholarships are open to students in any program or year at URI and are due in October and March. Fellowships@URI advises undergraduate, graduate, and even recently-graduated students of all majors and backgrounds on how to explore, apply for, and secure fellowship funding. Regardless of the outcome, students have come away with a greater understanding of their personal and professional narrative and goals.

To learn more about the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship program or other nationally competitive scholarships, visit URI’s Office of National Fellowships & Academic Opportunities or contact Keegan Scott (keegan.scott@uri.edu).