The Gilman Advisor Ambassador Program seeks to strengthen the partnership between the United States Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the higher education community by bringing together a cohort of experienced Gilman Program advisors with a broad range of professional expertise. Gilman Advisor Ambassadors serve to elevate the profile of the Gilman Program among critical audiences, offer higher education perspectives to the Gilman Program, and provide guidance to faculty, advisors, and administrators who seek to increase Gilman participation on their campuses.
If you are a faculty member, advisor, or administrator who would like to contact a Gilman Advisor Ambassador or you have questions about the Gilman Advisor Ambassador Program, please email Gilman at gilmanambassadors@iie.org.
Eligibility requirements:
- Currently serve as a Gilman certifying or non-certifying advisor.
- Have demonstrated experience in the field of study abroad.
- Have at least five years of experience advising Gilman applicants and/or recipients.
Benefits of serving as a Gilman Advisor Ambassador:
- Professional development, media training, and networking opportunities facilitated by the Gilman Program.
- Recognition as an official representative of the Gilman Program.
- A $500 honorarium that will be disbursed mid-way through the term.
- Funded travel and professional conference registration (upon invitation).
- Reimbursements for all materials, preparation, and travel to Gilman Program-sponsored events (upon invitation).
2024 Gilman Advisor Ambassadors
New Ambassadors
Jennifer Staton
Sr. Fellowship and Graduate School Advisor
University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama
Tristan Rodenhauser
Senior Program Coordinator
Emory University, Georgia
Melissa Matsubara
Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange Programs
Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii
Laura Bush
Academic Coordinator, TRIO Achievement Program
Knox College, Illinois
Nataliya Marchenko
Professor of Economics, International Education Coordinator
Joliet Junior College, Illinois
Calie Dickey
Associate Director for Study Abroad
Butler University, Indiana
Kathryn King
Education Abroad Advisor
Berea College, Kentucky
Emily Sallee
Assistant Director, Office of Nationally Competitive Awards
University of Kentucky, Kentucky
Marko Schubert
Assistant Director Study Abroad
Central Michigan University, Michigan
Sarah Akiwumi
Assistant Director of Global Programs & Student Advising
Bennett College, North Carolina
Brandee Norwood
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Davidson College, North Carolina
Nicole Flores
Study Abroad Advisor
CUNY Lehman College, New York
Anize Appel
Exec. Director of Global Education and Assoc. Dean of Study Abroad
Moravian University, Pennsylvania
Kaitlin Palmer
International Affairs Coordinator
Black Hills State University, South Dakota
Whitney Longnecker
Director of Study Abroad
Texas Tech University, Texas
Megan Genrich-Grant
Study Abroad Coordinator
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Wisconsin
Returning Ambassadors
Katie Sabo
Associate Director of Global Engagement
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Scott Palmer
Prestigious Scholarships Advisor
University of California, Davis, California
Malin Hilmersson
Program Manager
University of Denver, Colorado
Joshua Hudson
Director of Study Abroad Programs
Georgia State University, Georgia
Ashley Neyer
Director, Office of Study Abroad
Louisiana State University, Louisiana
Vivian Shannon-Ramsey
Coordinator of Global Learning Program and Assistant Professor
Bowie State University, Maryland
Cathy Schuster
Study Abroad Coordinator – Office of Student Finance
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota
Kimberly Longfellow
Assistant Director of Off-Campus Programs
St. Lawrence University, New York
Meghan Mason
Associate Director, Global Programs
Denison University, Ohio
Stephanie Tignor
Director of Global Learning
Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia
