Nebraska Wesleyan University students earned a record seven Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships this year. Sponsored by the U.S. State Department, this competitive, merit-based scholarship program supports study abroad opportunities for students. These international experiences develop key skills that advance U.S. security and economic prosperity.
Nebraska Wesleyan students have earned a total of 71 Gilman Scholarships since 2001.
The diversity reflected in this year’s awardees—where they come from, what they’re studying now, and where they’re headed in the future—captures the range and strength of a Nebraska Wesleyan education, said Sarah Barr, NWU’s director of global engagement.
Barr described artists, scientists, healers and helpers, traveling across the Americas, Asia and Europe. They’re using their Nebraska Wesleyan experiences to unlock opportunities around the world and find success in leading purpose-driven lives.
Isaac Alexander
- biology major
- destination: Nishinomiya, Japan
- Alexander’s Gilman will support his spring 2026 semester of study at NWU’s Japanese sister school, Kwansei Gakuin University.
- “I plan to learn more about the Japanese language, hoping to become more proficient while learning about the culture,” Alexander said.
Emily Carlson
- biology major, Spanish minor
- destination: San Jose, Costa Rica
- Carlson is using her Gilman to help fund an ISEP Direct exchange to Costa Rica this summer. She’s studying medical Spanish and taking part in a hospital shadowing program.
Kevin Figueroa Amaro
- psychology major, Spanish and theatre minor
- destination: Plymouth, U.K.
Figueroa Amaro will use his Gilman to study this fall semester at Nebraska Wesleyan’s sister school, the University of Plymouth. - “I’ve been heavily interested in going to graduate school in counseling, clinical or cultural psychology,” he said. “I’ve been exposing myself to research at UNL and NWU, and I would like to further explore my interests at UP.”
Moo Htee Paw
- political science major, French and criminal justice minor
- destination: Nishinomiya, Japan
- Htee Paw’s Gilman Scholarship will support study at Nebraska Wesleyan’s sister school in Japan, Kwansei Gakuin University for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Adalynn O’Connor
- Spanish major, studio art and art history minor
- destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
- O’Connor’s Gilman is helping to fund her participation in CEA CAPA’s Intensive Spanish Language Program this summer.
Lina Renteria
- social work major, Spanish minor
- destination: Salamanca, Spain
- Renteria is using her Gilman to study with Assistant Professor of Modern Languages Manuela Borzone this summer at Salamanca’s Collegio Delibes.
Isa Rivera
- musical theatre major
- destination: Plymouth, U.K.
- Rivera’s Gilman will help her attend NWU’s U.K. sister school, the University of Plymouth, during the 2025-2026 academic year. She will study acting, dance and theatre history at UP.
- “As someone who’s never traveled outside the U.S. before, I’m grateful and honored to have this opportunity,” Rivera said. “NWU’s Global Engagement Office has supported me every step of the way. [Sarah Barr’s] passion and guidance were evident to me from my first visit to her office my first semester.”