UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler GATE Students Named Gilman International Scholars

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March 18, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Mayra Aguilar of Brownsboro and Bianca Gonzalez of Houston, students enrolled in The University of Texas at Tyler's Global Awareness Through Education Program, have been named international scholars, Dr. Paul Streufert, executive director for special academic programs, announced.

Both UT Tyler GATE students were each awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. This highly competitive award fosters students' development of skills necessary for global citizenship.

"This is a major win for the university. Winning one Gilman would be a big deal, but having two Gilman scholars is surprising and a great honor," Streufert said.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Gilman Scholarship encourages undergraduate students to study abroad in non-traditional locations and aims to support students who have traditionally been under-represented in education abroad. UT Tyler's 2016 Gilman scholars will travel to the West African nation of Ghana this summer with other members of the UT Tyler GATE Program.

Aguilar, a sophomore nursing major, and Gonzalez, a junior kinesiology major, will participate in a medical outreach in the Ghanaian village of Okurase while on the travel study. The medical outreach will partner GATE students with local doctors, nurses and social workers to provide medical assistance for village residents.

"We've had GATE students apply for the Gilman each year, and this is a breakthrough to have two students win in one year," said Londa Jensen, program coordinator. "We've clearly selected some excellent students and picked a non-traditional location, which I think both helped facilitate this win."

UT Tyler GATE students enroll in globally focused core classes and participate in cultural events, service opportunities and leadership training within the Tyler community. They also learn basic language skills and improve their intercultural competency. The two-year program culminates in a five-week study abroad experience the summer after a student's sophomore year.

For more information, contact Jensen, 903.565.5730 or ljensen@uttyler.edu or visit the GATE homepage.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.