MESA, Arizona – Sept 6, 2017 – Mesa Community College student Jesse Roman, received the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Roman is one of approximately 1,200 American undergraduate students from 354 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the scholarship. The scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to national security and economic competitiveness.

Roman used the grant to enroll in the MCC Study Abroad Program to Belgium/European Union and spent several weeks there this summer. Based in Liege, Belgium, he studied the interconnectedness amongst cultural values, globalization and its impact on the world economic systems.

Roman said he knew that the trip would challenge him and affect every aspect of his life.

“It was my first time overseas,” said Roman, 28, an international business major. “The trip was a great experience and now I can see myself pursuing a career in international business or perhaps politics.”

Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards study abroad or internship program costs. Roman said he’s grateful for the monetary award.

“It really helped me and took a huge load off my shoulders so I could focus on the experience,” Roman said.

Roman is on track to graduate in December 2017 with an associate’s degree in organizational management. He plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public administration through the college’s 90/30 program, which allows students to apply 90 MCC credits toward their NAU degree.

“This experience will definitely help me with my career goals,” he said. “I did a lot of networking and had one-on-one conversations with people from many parts of the world.”

The program, administered by the Institute of International Education, offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness.

Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies -- making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.

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Contact
Dawn Zimmer (480) 461-7892 Dawn.Zimmer@mesacc.edu

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) - For more than 50 years the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has sought to cultivate mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly, and peaceful relations, as mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. ECA accomplishes its mission through a variety of exchange programs and other initiatives that support mutual understanding by protecting cultural heritage across the globe, and providing educational resources for people interested in learning about American culture and the English language. ECA programs engage participants from a variety of backgrounds and specialties. For more information about ECA programs, initiatives, and achievements, visit eca.state.gov.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, the Institute is the world’s most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization. IIE has a network of 19 offices worldwide working with more than 1,200 member institutions and over 6,000 individuals with a commitment to the internationalization of their institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government and private sources. These programs include the Fulbright and Humphrey Fellowships administered for the U.S. Department of State. The Institute is a resource for educators and institutions worldwide (www.iie.org), publishing the Open Doors Report and operating www.IIEPassport.org and www.studyabroadfunding.org search engines for study abroad program and study abroad scholarships. For more information, please contact the Gilman International Scholarship at gilmanscholarship@iie.org.

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.