Katie Sabo, senior study abroad coordinator in the Graduate School and International Education's Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange, has been named a Gilman Advisor Ambassador for the 2023-24 school year.

Since its inception in 2001, the U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has provided transformational study abroad opportunities for more than 34,000 American students with limited financial means. The ambassador program is designed to strengthen the partnership between the scholarship program and the higher education community by bringing together experienced Gilman Scholarship advisors with a broad range of professional expertise to raise awareness of the scholarship to critical audiences.

Specifically, they will offer higher education perspectives and provide guidance to fellow faculty, advisors and administrators who seek to increase Gilman participation on their campuses.

"I am honored to serve the Gilman program in this capacity, both for the opportunity to give back to the program and to increase access to study abroad for Arkansas students with high financial need," Sabo said. "As an advisor ambassador, I can offer a valuable perspective to the Gilman Program and Gilman advisors nationwide. But most importantly, I can learn from colleagues from top-producing institutions to find new ways to raise the visibility of this incredible scholarship program among our campus community and support our students throughout the application process."

Sabo's appointment continues the university's strong partnership with the Gilman Scholarship. Forty percent of Arkansas students who applied for the scholarship last year received it, compared to a 25% average nationally. Additionally, this year marks the second-highest number of U of A students applying for the scholarship.  

Students interested in the scholarship are invited to attend participation sessions held Mondays and Thursdays, beginning Sept. 7 through Oct. 5. Monday sessions are from 10-11 a.m. in room 349 of The CORD, and Tuesday sessions are from 3-4 p.m. in room 201 of The CORD.

Sabo holds bachelor's and master's degrees in French language and literature from the U of A and studied abroad in France. She served as a lecturer of French at the university level before moving into international education in 2016.

In her role as the senior study abroad coordinator, she serves as the study abroad advisor for students in the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, manages Fulbright College and Honors College faculty-led programs and leads the Office of Study Abroad's strategic plan for access, diversity, equity and inclusion. Katie also manages the office's application software and serves on university committees related to study abroad and high impact practices.

"Being named as one of 30 ambassadors nationally reflects Katie's hard work and commitment to accessibility for all students in study abroad," said Sarah Malloy, director of study abroad and international exchange. "We are lucky to have her expertise and vision for excellence within the study abroad team."

Additionally, Sabo has been a campus certifying advisor for the Gilman Scholarship for more than five years and has served as a selection panelist for the Gilman Scholarship and Critical Language Scholarship Program. She coordinates outreach efforts and information sessions across campus and conducts application workshops, including review of application materials one-on-one with students.

Her professional interests center on developing her own education and advocacy efforts for increasing access and belonging for underserved student populations in education abroad. She has presented regionally and nationally on these topics, is a member of NAFSA and Diversity Abroad and serves on the AIFS Abroad Board of Advisors.

More information on the Advisor Ambassador Program can be found by visiting the Gilman Scholarship website.