U of A Named Gilman Program Top Producing Institution

The U of A was named a Gilman Program 25th Anniversary Top Producing Institution in the Large Colleges and Universities category, recognizing the university's longstanding partnership with the scholarship program that has led to hundreds of U of A students studying abroad.

The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides merit-based scholarships to talented American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad for academic credit. The Top Producing Institution campaign recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that have supported the most Gilman Scholars from 2001-2025.

The U of A has enjoyed a strong partnership with the Gilman program, with 285 U of A students receiving scholarships dating back to 2011. Since 2019, Katie Sabo has coordinated proactive outreach and advising on campus in addition to serving as a Gilman Advisor Ambassador since 2023.

These efforts have helped increase applications and success rates for a scholarship that has a profound impact on the lives of recipients.

"The program encourages students to study critical-need languages and STEM fields," said Sabo, who is the associate director of global engagement in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. "U of A Gilman Scholars return from abroad with career-ready skills like adaptability and complex problem-solving skills, and they have an ongoing impact on their campus and home communities by inspiring more Arkansas students to pursue study abroad."  

"We're so proud of our Gilman Scholars and the impact they have on our campus," said Aley Bedair, director of study abroad and international exchange. "The Gilman Program plays a critical role in making study abroad accessible to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. They come back with a broader perspective, stronger problem-solving and communication skills and a clearer sense of where they're headed both personally and professionally. We're always excited to see how they carry that forward both on campus and into their future careers."

The Gilman Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. The Gilman Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.