Two LaGuardia Students Receive The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to Support Their Study Abroad

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY— (December 11, 2024) – The U.S. Department of State has announced the 2024 recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, awarded to American undergraduate students from across all 50 states.

This year’s distinguished awardees include two students from LaGuardia Community College, who are in the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP): Quashawna Hutcherson, who worked with her advisor Lissette Aguilar and Laniel Collazo, who worked with his advisor Jenny Lugo.

Both Quashawna and Laniel are enrolled in the Japanese Option and will be travelling abroad to Japan in Summer 2025. Their success would not have been possible without the ASAP office and advisors who encouraged their enrollment in EIS216: International Schooling in Global Contexts a flexible core class taught by Dr. Maria Savva, Professor in the Education and Language Acquisition Department, Co-Director of the Office of Global and Experiential Learning, and Gilman Panelist. During Spring II 2024, Quashawna and Laniel developed their scholarship essays as part of the course and received feedback and guidance from Dr. Savva.

Quashawna Hutcherson and Laniel Collazo were each awarded a $3,500 scholarship to support their study abroad in Japan.

Dr. Savva says Quashawna is excited that her dream of studying in Japan will finally come true. “She has never been overseas before and the furthest she has ever traveled is New Jersey,” Dr. Savva said. “She wouldn’t have thought of studying abroad without hearing about the Gilman Scholarship. The application process for the Gilman scholarship was not easy, particularly in finding a program that is both academically and personally relevant to her future career plans. However, she thinks that the resources provided in the class were very helpful in navigating the complex application process and finding relevant information about CUNY’s study abroad programs.

Dr. Savva says, one of Laniel’s favorite things to do as a teenager was getting lost on Google Maps. He would pick a random spot in Japan and imagine himself walking through that area to satisfy his wanderlust. “In the process he would pick up Japanese words from signage and sentences without even realizing,” Dr. Savva said. “Now Laniel has the opportunity to visit Japan in person.”

The Gilman Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, backgrounds, and types of institutions.  Almost 60% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States. Almost half of all Gilman scholars are the first in their family to attend college.

In past years, other LaGuardia students were awarded the scholarship to attend study abroad programs in a variety of countries including: Raisa Balabanova (Summer 2015; Spain); Tiani Boapeah (Fall 2015; Italy); Catherine Leon; Summer 2017; France); Soleil Griffin (Summer 2017; France); Joey Fernandez (Summer 2017; France); Dennys Paulino (Summer 2018; South Korea); Telijah Patterson (Summer 2018; China); and Felicia Quesada (Spring 2019; Australia).

• • • •

About the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.

####