Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

For 23 years, the U.S. Department of State’s  Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has been helping undergraduate students with limited financial means pursue study and internships abroad. In that time, Central Michigan University has been among the institutions producing the largest number of Gilman Scholars. Now, a CMU staff member has been chosen as a Gilman Advisor Ambassador for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Assistant Director of Study Abroad at CMU, Marko Schubert, will use his expertise to advise colleges and universities nationwide on how to promote the Gilman Program and guide students in the application process.

The Gilman Scholarship program is open to all Pell Grant-eligible students participating in a study abroad program. It provides substantial additional funding for education and travel-related expenses, and Schubert says in many cases it is the main reason students with high financial need can take advantage of valuable study abroad experiences.

“I applied to be a Gilman Ambassador to help promote this scholarship on CMU’s campus and strengthen relationships between various CMU offices and the Gilman Scholarship Program, and to make education abroad more affordable for students who struggle with the cost of higher education,” Schubert said.

The Gilman program selected 26 Gilman Advisor Ambassadors representing institutions in 21 states from a competitive pool of applicants. As an ambassador, Schubert will offer higher education perspectives on the Gilman Program, mentor new Gilman advisors, and participate in national-level outreach efforts through conferences, campus engagement, and other activities. 

“It is a great honor to be selected to serve as Gilman Ambassador,” Schubert said. “I see it as a recognition of CMU’s strong commitment to international education and accessibility to intercultural learning opportunities for our students.”  

Gilman scholarship recipients are awarded up to $5,000 and become eligible for up to 12 months of noncompetitive eligibility hiring status within the federal government. Schubert said the experiences Gilman allows students to have are difficult to place a value on.

“Study abroad is more than traveling to a different country and enjoying individual aspects of local culture while taking classes. It is a high-impact practice that allows students to explore different worldviews, learn across cultures, and obtain skills required to be competitive in a global economy,” Schubert said. “It also challenges students to reflect on their own cultural biases and how they impact their interactions with representatives of other cultures.”

His selection as a Gilman Advisor Ambassador will enhance Schubert’s effort to connect CMU students with study abroad experiences. He often finds himself addressing the perceived barriers that may prevent students from considering studying abroad. With the Gilman Scholarship, he says the barrier of expense is removed.

 “CMU has a very strong study abroad program and I strive to make it available to as many students as possible.”